The Galapagos Genetics Epidemiology and
Pathology Laboratory
Why is GGEPL
needed?
Introduced disease is a global concern for the conservation of biodiversity and represents some of the most serious current and future threats to the unique wildlife of Galápagos. Endemic species can suffer when diseases spread from domestic animals, while globalisation and climate change increase the risk of contact with new kinds of pathogen, disease hosts or vectors. Island species are particularly vulnerable to introduced diseases due to their long histories of isolation.
There are many examples around the world where disease has caused
significant loss of biodiversity. In the past several native Hawaiian bird species have become extinct as the result of introduced pathogens and there are concerns that
a similar scenario could be repeated in Galápagos.
The
GGEPL project began in October 2003, and the new laboratory opened in
August 2004. The project grew from an Ecuadorian initiative to
establish molecular biology techniques for conservation in the
archipelago. The development of this facility for the Galápagos
National Park, combined with building the expertise of Ecuadorian scientists, provides the insitu rapid diagnostic capability required so that mitigating action can be taken to control potential disease threats to the islands.
This means that the Galapagos National Park will have the expertise and
infrastructure to necessary to deal with disease issues onsite in the
archipelago, where previously samples had to be shipped off the islands or
out of Ecuador for analysis. GGEPL is a key part of the modern approaches
the Galapagos National Park uses to help manage the islands.
GGEPL is staffed by
Ecuadorians and operates in
collaboration with the major organisations involved in Galapagos conservation
such as the Charles Darwin Research Station and SICGAL, and with other
international scientists also working on disease issues in the
archipelago. In addition the laboratory is intended to be a research
resource open to collaboration with all scientists working in the islands
even if the work is not disease related.
What does GGEPL do?
GGEPL
is a modern molecular biology and pathology facility with
capabilities comparable to top university research and biomedical
laboratories found in North America or Europe. In the molecular biology
lab we have facilities for the rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
diagnosis of pathogens, and a range of DNA polymorphism typing techniques
that can be applied to many organisms.
The pathology lab is equipped to handle potentially
hazardous biological material, conduct necropsies, and to perform most of
the histological, haematological and serological analyses used in modern
pathology.
Our
team is conducting a programme of disease monitoring for Galapagos
wildlife and a series
research projects focused on specific disease
issues. Material collected in the wild is analysed in the laboratory
and the information gathered about the pathogens present is used to help
guide the management decisions made by the organisations involved in
Galapagos conservation.
The lab also provides training for Ecuadorian
scientists and conservation workers in the laboratory techniques and
disease issues relevant to conservation in Galapagos.
Who runs GGEPL?
GGEPL is a
partnership between Galápagos National Park; the School of Biology,
University of Leeds, UK; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London; and the
Programme of Biotechnology at University of Guayaquil,
Ecuador.
We are
also collaborating with other organisations dedicated to conservation in the Galápagos including SESA, SICGAL, WildAid, and scientists from the Charles
Darwin Research Station, St. Louis Zoo, the University of Missouri, St. Louis, the Consortium for Conservation Medicine and the New York State Department of Health Arbovirus Laboratories.
Project Funding
Funding
for this project was provided through the UK government's Darwin
Initiative scheme for the conservation of global biodiversity (Grant
number 162-12-017).
In
addition to the Darwin Initiative we are grateful to the Embassy of the
United Kingdom, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Conservation Trust for financial
contributions to the project, and to the Exelixis corporation for the
donation of equipment.
In order to
expand the capabilities of the lab we are continuing to seek additional
funding and would welcome donations, offers of sponsorship or research
collaborations that can enhance our work.
Want to know more?
For more
information please contact the laboratory:
Galapagos Genetics Epidemiology and Pathology Laboratory
University of Guayaquil Building
Calle Duncan and Angermeyer
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz,
Galápagos Islands,
Ecuador.
GGEPL is a partnership
between Galápagos National Park; the School of Biology, University of Leeds
UK, the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London; and the
University of Guayaquil. The funding for this project is provided through
the UK government's Darwin Initiative scheme (Grant number 162-12-017).
Updated 21st September 2005 by Simon Goodman
(c) GGEPL 2005
Introduced disease is a global concern for the conservation of biodiversity and represents some of the most serious current and future threats to the unique wildlife of Galápagos. Endemic species can suffer when diseases spread from domestic animals, while globalisation and climate change increase the risk of contact with new kinds of pathogen, disease hosts or vectors. Island species are particularly vulnerable to introduced diseases due to their long histories of isolation.
The
GGEPL project began in October 2003, and the new laboratory opened in
August 2004. The project grew from an Ecuadorian initiative to
establish molecular biology techniques for conservation in the
archipelago. The development of this facility for the Galápagos
National Park, combined with building the expertise of Ecuadorian scientists, provides the insitu rapid diagnostic capability required so that mitigating action can be taken to control potential disease threats to the islands.
This means that the Galapagos National Park will have the expertise and
infrastructure to necessary to deal with disease issues onsite in the
archipelago, where previously samples had to be shipped off the islands or
out of Ecuador for analysis. GGEPL is a key part of the modern approaches
the Galapagos National Park uses to help manage the islands.
GGEPL
is a modern molecular biology and pathology facility with
capabilities comparable to top university research and biomedical
laboratories found in North America or Europe. In the molecular biology
lab we have facilities for the rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
diagnosis of pathogens, and a range of DNA polymorphism typing techniques
that can be applied to many organisms.
Our
team is conducting a programme of disease monitoring for Galapagos
wildlife and a series 
GGEPL is a
partnership between Galápagos National Park; the School of Biology,
University of Leeds, UK; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London; and the
Programme of Biotechnology at University of Guayaquil,
Ecuador.
