CANBERRA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) — Researchers have developed advanced organoid cell cultures that speed up virus testing for controlling destructive rabbit populations in Australia.
The breakthrough accelerated development of new virus strains to overcome resistance in invasive rabbits, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, said Wednesday.
CSIRO researchers have developed improved organoid cell cultures, 3D cellular structures mimicking rabbit organs, that now support more efficient rabbit calicivirus replication and testing outside live rabbits, a CSIRO statement said.
“The goal is to greatly reduce the number of animals needed for virus testing and to increase the speed of biocontrol research,” said Tanja Strive, CSIRO senior principal research scientist.
European rabbits have severely impacted Australia’s environment and agriculture since their introduction in 1859, the statement said.
Biological controls like myxoma and rabbit calicivirus viruses have reduced populations by more than 90 percent, saving over 70 billion Australian dollars (46.26 billion U.S. dollars), but evolving resistance requires new virus strains, it said.
Experts say the current dominant virus strain’s effectiveness may wane soon, prompting urgent development of next-generation biocontrol agents.
Strive said the organoid system will also aid in vaccine development for pet and commercial rabbits, deepen understanding of virus biology, and enhance future biocontrol strategy efficacy.
This advancement forms part of Australia’s Rabbit Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy, a long-term plan to maintain control over invasive rabbit numbers, according to the CSIRO. ■