This may be silly to ask for, but I could use sheds. I suppose I should follow that up with, I'm a bit of a rogue biologist. . .

I've begun to form a new protocol for isolating DNA from reptile sheds. While getting DNA from sheds has been done before, my new protocol reduces the time from 3 days to about 3 hours and so far is promising high-quality and viable DNA for analyses and sequencing. Problem is, I'm running out of bp sheds to work with. I've been using my guys and the biology department's token ball python, but I use a whole 4' shed in about 3-7 days, depending on available time in the lab. I don't have that many bp sheds to keep it going. Among the fact that there are no full DNA sequences for bp specific genes, which I'm also in the tedious and time-consuming process of building along the way.

I know it is a lot to ask, but I am hoping breeders, keepers, and owners will be happy to have a full genome and precise genes to test for or to reference when looking at specific traits (it'll take me a few years on this shoestring budget, so please be patient). One dry shed hasn't required more than one regular postage stamp so far. Unfortunately, damp sheds mold in the mailing process.

A few things are required for this project to work:

1) The shed should be in a whole piece if possible or at least several large sections.
I cannot run multiple quantitative processes with bits or pieces, unfortunately. I have to isolate where the best DNA is in the shed (head, ventral scales, etc.). I also have to perform multiple tests to see which conditions the shed can be in or endure before the DNA is too degraded to be useful.

2) Information on the snake and possible lineage would be INCREDIBLY helpful.
Such as: sex, age, morph (if any, WT and WC are 100% effective too), breeder/owner info in case I need more information in the future, and if possible, a picture. The picture can be emailed to me as long as the information is the same as what was sent with the shed. WT are incredibly helpful here to establish micro-satellites, so I am not opposed to getting those either, but I certainly don't expect them.

3) Place dry shed in a ziplock bag, squeeze out the air, as best as possible, and put in to a regular envelope.
I have to log where I get the sheds from and certain animal information for reference purposes, so I don't get in trouble. Using animal tissues I have certain protocols I must follow, even for sheds that would normally be trash. (I also have to dispose of the remains properly.) Anyone that donates to my project will be thanked accordingly in the paper prior publication submission.

There are certain morphs I'm interested in as well. Specifically, any with a wobble. Spiders mostly, but any form of wobble would be nice. A video of such would be tremendous help! It is also why I need to know linage. I know breeders are sticklers on lineage record keeping and I need reputable linage information to verify the sequences I'm coming up with. My university is not totally on board with this project because I'm not using traditional animal models, or tissues for that matter, and they see no future medical advancement therefore, no need for it. However, if the project is fruitful, I will then get a budget and hopefully be able to pay postage in the future. Rogue is the nicest term I've been called for this undertaking.


Also, if sending sheds isn't possible, an email or message about lineages with clutches producing wobblers or mixed clutches would be HUGELY helpful. As I am not a breeder, but a molecular biologist I do not have such listings. I am hopeful knowledgable breeders do. *crosses fingers* I completely respect a breeder's work to keep their lineages special to them. I will NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT be releasing linage information. The only release would be if a shed were to have a linage and it be of vast importance. Then, I will contact the breeder/keeper and ask legal permission to release only the information needed. The lineage helps me determine where to look in the massive set of jumbled chromosomes and nucleotides for something I can use. Having sheds of 3+ generations would simply make my year! (And, undoubtedly make me squeal with delight while driving my husband bonkers followed by my immediate departure to the lab to spend the night working, most likely.)

I am not here to judge about breeding conditions, housing conditions, offspring viability, WC or CB, etc. I am simply looking at DNA, sequencing, and trying to build the genome in order to make the bp one of a handful of reptiles who have a full genome map in the national genome database. I love the species and I believe they deserve to be recognized for what they are and how far we've come to understanding them. I also believe that reptiles are so much more incredible than most of the research world gives them credit for. I'm on a career and life-long mission to change that. It's just going to take me some time and A LOT of sheds.

Thank you!

Nic

*** Please PM me if you would like my address or email to send me sheds. I do not like just handing it out, as I do not like handing out breeders information either. Thanks!