----------
> > Subject: Dung Beetles for manure control
> > Date: Wednesday, September 10, 1997 12:37 PM
> > ----------
> > >
> > I have been researching Dung Beetles for ecological based manure control
> > to prevent non-point pollution. Dung beetles can dispose of 1ton of manure/year over 2.5 acres
>> resulting in:
> > Soil fertility is enhanced
> > Pollution reduced
> > Moisture is return to land
> > Promotes earthworm production
> > and a potential new source of drugs
> >
> > Generally the beetle buries the manure within 36 hours thus preventing
> > fly problems, disposal problems and nonpoint pollution. And I am
>> wondering whether the drug industry would find merit it exploring raising Dung
>> Beetles as new source of nature-based pharaceuticals. With the numerous current uses of
>> Cyclosporin from heart transplants to Aids
> > (a drug made from a a mold derived from dung beetles).
>> I would think this has merit???
> >
> > Does any one do research in this area ???
> > or Who can I contact ??? ANY thoughts???
> > How do I get support on promoting this ecological based waste disposal
> > solution??
> > I would like those persons or institutions that are interested in promote
> > sustainable solutions to help petition the USDA to keep this facility
> > open...Funding could be cut in the next session of Congress.
> >
> >
> > Currently funding for research by the USDA is being cut, and the only
> > Quarantine facility in US ( down in Texas) is threathen with closing and
> > chief Scientist Truman Fincher will be retiring if this facility
> > closes.
> >
> > I would like to see the medical community support the continuing the
> > research by USDA or APHIS (ARS) regarding Dung Beetles or have a white knight
> > (Drug manufacter) come to rescue, estimated funding is less than $ 1.5
>> for the next 5 years to keep the facility open....
> >
> > I hope this is proper application of this Listserve...
> > .
> >
> > >--=============
> > > BACKGROUND
> > Cyclosporin synthetase (cysyn) is a multifunctional enzyme responsible
> >for the biosynthesis of cyclosporins from their precursor amino acids. It has
> > firstly been isolated from the fungusTolypocladium niveum in 1986.
> >
> http://www.chem.tu-berlin.de/Institute/Biochemie_und_Molekulare_Biologie/Arb
/eitskreise/AK_Zocher/mirko/cyclosp.htm
====================>
> > http://www.news.cornell.edu/science/Sept96/cyclosporine.hrs.html
> > Knowing the true family history of T. inflatum/C. subsessilis will help
> > target the search for other nature-based pharmaceuticals, according to
> > Thomas Eisner, the Cornell biologist whose Institute for Research in
> > Chemical Ecology (CIRCE) will send "chemical prospecting" teams into the
> > world's first temperate zone biodiversity preserve, less than a mile from
> > the woods where students found the fungal fruiting bodies. One close
> > relative of C. subsessilis already is known to Chinese athletes as the
> > performance-enhancing "caterpillar fungus."
> >
> > "There are so many molds that we don't know the life cycle of. All the
> > cyclosporin in the world -- for hundreds of thousands of transplant
> > patients who need anti-rejection drugs -- has been made from
> Tolypocladium
> > inflatum cultures without that mold ever reaching the sexual state," said
> > Kathie T. Hodge, the Cornell graduate student of systematic mycology who
> > identified the New York fungus for what it is. "T. inflatum is commonly
> > found in soils, but it does not make the sexual state without very
>> special conditions -- until it is on its favorite host -- which seems to be the
> > dung beetle."
> > ------
> >
> > The question I have how important is it or what might be the implications
> > of have Tolypocladium inflatum cultures reaching the sexual state????
> >
> > I
> >
> > > David B. Sullivan, Public Relations Director
> > > Wisconsin Bison Producers Association
> > > Telephone (608) -723-6213
> > > email: Buffalob@mhtc.net
> > > email : Buffalo-Falls@juno.com Text only
> > >
> > > Mailing address:
> > > Buffalo Falls Ranch, LLC
> > > 7744 Irish Hollow Road
> > > Potosi, Wi 53820
> > >
>