Saving the Northern White Rhino
The partners of the BioRescue consortium have an outstanding track record in complementary areas necessary for this project: from rhino breeding and medicine to assisted reproduction technologies (ART), stem cell associated techniques (SCAT), conservation ethics and animal welfare.
Leibniz Insitute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) - projekt coordinator
The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) is an internationally renowned German research institute of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and a member of the Leibniz Association. Our mission is to examine evolutionary adaptations of wildlife to global change and develop new concepts and measures for the conservation of biodiversity. To achieve this, our scientists use their broad interdisciplinary expertise from biology and veterinary medicine to conduct fundamental and applied research – from molecular to landscape level – in close dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Additionally we are committed to unique and high quality services for the scientific community.
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC)
The MDC pursues a long-term research goal: To advance medical progress today and in the future. Its thematically broad-based structure enables highly networked, cooperative research projects that provide insights into the most diverse aspects of biological processes and diseases. The MDC's research teams deal with fundamental health and disease issues down to the smallest detail. For example, they deal with the complex functioning of ion channels or receptors. The MDC's mission is to investigate these molecular mechanisms and translate these findings into medical applications as quickly as possible.
AVANTEA, Laboratory of Reproductive Technlogies
Avantea is a laboratory of advanced technologies for biotechnology research and animal reproduction based in Cremona, Italy. Avantea has over twenty years of experience and the know-how in assisted reproduction of livestock developed through years of research conducted in the biomedical and animal reproduction fields.
Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Safari Park Dvůr Králové is a safari park in the Czech Republic. It's a very popular place with visitors due to its main focus on African fauna. Thanks to many decades of first-hand experience, it belongs among the best breeders of African animals, especially ungulates, in the world. Safari Park Dvůr Králové sees as its mission to assist with conservation of wildlife even in its original habitat. It‘s the only place where the northern white rhino bred in human care and the last two living northern white rhino females, Najin and Fatu, were born in Dvůr Králové before they were transported to Kenya. Safari Park Dvůr Králové provides northern white rhino genetic samples for the Biorescue project, is represented in international committees related to the northern white rhino rescue and coordinates efforts to save the northern white rhinos.
Kyushu University
Founded in 1911, Kyushu University is one of Japan's most prestigious state universities. The main campus is located in Motooka in the city of Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu. The Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine (Faculty of Medicine) houses the Developmental Stem Cell Biology Laboratory.
Universita degli studi di Padua
The University of Padua in Italy is one of the oldest in the world. Its Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science is developing leading research and education in the field of wildlife conservation and welfare, with a special focus on ethical assessment and evaluation of research projects and educational programs.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, and is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees. It is also home to the last two northern white rhinos on the planet. Ol Pejeta´s cutting edge wildlife security includes a specialized K-9 unit, motion sensor cameras along its solar-powered electric fence, and a dedicated Rhino Protection Unit.
Merck KGaA
Merck, a leading science and technology company, is represented in Germany by all three business sectors: Healthcare, Life Science and Performance Materials. We have more than 12,000 employees in Germany. They develop, manufacture and commercialize high-quality medicines, innovative products for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries and for academic research as well as specialty chemicals for high-tech applications.
