Australia's top conservation biologist is on a mission to save hundreds of frog species from extinction. Dr Anthony Waddle has spent years studying the deadly chytrid fungus that has wiped out 90 species, but now he's working on a novel solution: mini saunas for frogs.
Waddle's journey began when he was just eight years old, catching tadpoles in the Mojave desert with his bare hands. The experience sparked a passion for amphibians that has driven him to become an award-winning conservation biologist. After completing his PhD from the University of Melbourne, Waddle is now working in Australia to develop frog-saving technologies.
One of his most innovative projects involves building mini saunas to warm up frogs during the winter months when the fungus is at its strongest. By raising the temperature, Waddle hopes to reduce the impact of the fungus and help stave off extinction. The first batch of saunas was built in a lab using masonry bricks and greenhouses over them, with eight little frog-sized holes for amphibians to curl up in.
Thanks to this experiment, frogs that spent their winters in these tiny greenhouses were much less likely to be infected by the fungus. The results suggest that synthetic biology could hold the key to saving many more species from extinction.
Waddle is now working on another project using gene replacement to support the reintegration of critically endangered southern corroboree frogs into the wild, a species that no longer breeds naturally due to disease and habitat loss. He believes his work may provide hope for turning around the dire plight of global amphibian populations.
In an interview from his lab, Waddle revealed that some might be concerned about synthetic biology's potential risks, but he's confident in its ability to add diversity to struggling populations or give vulnerable species a fighting chance against disease.
Waddle's journey began when he was just eight years old, catching tadpoles in the Mojave desert with his bare hands. The experience sparked a passion for amphibians that has driven him to become an award-winning conservation biologist. After completing his PhD from the University of Melbourne, Waddle is now working in Australia to develop frog-saving technologies.
One of his most innovative projects involves building mini saunas to warm up frogs during the winter months when the fungus is at its strongest. By raising the temperature, Waddle hopes to reduce the impact of the fungus and help stave off extinction. The first batch of saunas was built in a lab using masonry bricks and greenhouses over them, with eight little frog-sized holes for amphibians to curl up in.
Thanks to this experiment, frogs that spent their winters in these tiny greenhouses were much less likely to be infected by the fungus. The results suggest that synthetic biology could hold the key to saving many more species from extinction.
Waddle is now working on another project using gene replacement to support the reintegration of critically endangered southern corroboree frogs into the wild, a species that no longer breeds naturally due to disease and habitat loss. He believes his work may provide hope for turning around the dire plight of global amphibian populations.
In an interview from his lab, Waddle revealed that some might be concerned about synthetic biology's potential risks, but he's confident in its ability to add diversity to struggling populations or give vulnerable species a fighting chance against disease.
I'm loving this mini sauna idea for frogs! Can you imagine having a tiny greenhouse in your backyard and helping save the planet at the same time? It's like something out of a sci-fi movie 
. But seriously, Dr Waddle is on to something here. I mean, we've seen how effective temperature control can be in other areas, so why not for our little frog friends? And the fact that it's already showing promising results is super encouraging! Maybe one day we'll have whole habitats designed like these mini saunas to create a frog-friendly world 
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it's genius and I never thought of that before... using synthetic biology can't be a bad thing if it helps save the frogs, right? 
we need all the help we can get with these awesome little creatures and their habitats are in shambles rn. 90 species gone is just devastating 
but Dr Waddle's working on some serious solutions so fingers crossed he succeeds! 
like Dr Waddle is trying 2 save them from extinction but mini saunas are kinda weird i guess 
. I'm rooting for Dr Waddle and his team all the way! 
how many ppl think outside the box like this? i mean we all know frogs are super sensitive to temp changes so warming them up could def help reduce that deadly fungus's impact. and gene replacement for southern corroboree frogs? mind blown 
synthetic biology can be a game changer, especially when it comes to helping endangered species. Waddle's determination is honestly inspiring! 
let's hope more ppl take note of this innovative solution 
! Who knew mini saunas could be the answer to saving frogs from extinction? Interesting 
). It's like he's taking a page out of Mother Nature's playbook and engineering solutions to keep our planet's biodiversity thriving 
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! I mean, who wouldn't want a mini sauna for their frog? It's not like we're talking about just any old frog here, we're talking about species that are on the brink of extinction due to some nasty fungus 
. And let's be real, if we don't take drastic measures to save these species, they're basically gone for good 
... it's been proven time & time again that it can save species from extinction 
... people r worried about the risks, but like waddle said, synth bio can add diversity to struggling populations or give vulnerable species a fighting chance 