You might like to hear about our recent success in the
cryopreservation of living fully differentiated larvae of marine
worms (Nereidae). In effect we have achieved the preservation in
liquid N of animals which are the most developmentally advanced
creatures to be preserved yet.
The results are published in technical form in Cryobioology vol 34
284 294 under the somewhat daunting title
"Cryopreservation of Nereis virens (Polychaeta, Annelida) larvae: the
mechanisms of cryopreservation of a differentiated metazoan."
The larvae can be filmed recovering from the preservation process
during which they are kept at a temperature of about -180 degrees C
and as they warm up they can be seen to gradually come to life, and
within a few seconds begin to move - just like rip van winkle
emerging from his deep sleep.
The work was developed as part of a commercial development in the
farming of worms and is a good story in applied science.
Worms are very often dug as bait for marine angling. While there are
places where this can be done in a sustainable way (coast of Maine
USA for instance) in many regions and in Europe in general the harm
cuased by bait digging is simply not sustainable. Some 10 years ago
we launched the worlds first ragworm farm to address this problem
with a technology transfer from the University of Newcastle upon
Tyne (UK) to the company Seabait Ltd. The company set up a
production unit using the heated sea water from a power station to
maximise the growth of the worms and last year we produced about 25
tonnes!. Because we grow the animals so quickly we needed to have
babies available on an all year round basis - so that tanks can be
stocked at all times of the year. We have achieved this in two ways
i) cryopreservation of the juveniles
ii) changing the breeding season by manipulating the photoperiod -
yes marine worms are sensitive to the length of day just as we are.
I think both stories would be of interest to the general public as
would footage of the mass production of these worms which are pretty
impressive animals. The Nereis virens can reach up to a metre in
length though we usually sell them at about 10 inches or so at an age
of about 6 months.
If you are interested please don't hesitate to contact me. Our
experience over the years has been that the public are interested in
this story for several reasons - the impact of the mass culture of
marine worms, the conservation envrionmental protection side, and the
impact of science in a practical business.
Best wishes and good luck with your project
Peter Olive
<p.j.w.olive at ncl.ac.uk>
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