Building Resilience in a Changing World: Exploring Genetic Frontiers in Wildlife Conservation

Tiffany A. Kosch¹

¹One Health Research Group, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Abstract Text:

Wildlife populations around the world are facing escalating pressures from habitat loss, emerging diseases, climate change, and other human-driven threats. As global biodiversity continues to decline, targeted genetic intervention (TGI) is emerging as a powerful approach to enhance resilience and support species recovery. Enabled by rapid advances in genomic technologies—including CRISPR-based gene editing and genomic selection—TGI offers the potential to introduce or enhance traits that improve survival and reproduction under current and future environmental challenges. These interventions go beyond traditional genetic management by actively promoting adaptive traits, such as disease resistance or thermal tolerance, in threatened populations. Alongside innovations in assisted reproductive technologies, stem cell and gamete cryopreservation, TGI is expanding the conservation toolbox in unprecedented ways. In this presentation, I will explore the tools and resources enabling genetic intervention and highlight recent developments in this rapidly advancing field of wildlife conservation. I will also discuss how my research is applying TGI to increase resilience to chytridiomycosis in threatened amphibian species.