April 7, 2004

UI Scientists to Discuss Mule Cloning at Boise Speakers' Bureau

BOISE – Dr. Gordon Woods and Dr. Dirk Vanderwall, the University of Idaho scientists who last May won the international race to clone the first member of the horse family, will speak Friday, April 23, at “Idaho Speaks!” a Boise-based speakers' forum sponsored by the university.

The luncheon will be held at the Grove Hotel Grand Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the public, and those planning to attend may call (208) 334-2999 to reserve a spot.

Woods, Vanderwall and Dr. Ken White of Utah State University made world news last spring with the birth of Idaho Gem, a mule clone. The Project Idaho scientists edged out an Italian team, which produced a horse clone May 28.

Since then, Project Idaho produced two more mules cloned from fetal skin cells. All three, Idaho Gem, Utah Pioneer and Idaho Star, are healthy and vigorous.

The three mule foals will be on display at the Idaho Horse Council's 18th annual Horse Expo in Caldwell at the Canyon County Fair Complex Friday, April 23, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, from noon to 5 p.m.

The most important result of the cloning research may be new ways to study human disease, particularly some cancers and diabetes, using the horse as a model.

The cloning success captivated the horse world, because it offered new methods of assisted horse reproduction.

Woods, professor of animal and veterinary science in the UI College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, directs the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory at UI. Vanderwall is an assistant professor of animal and veterinary science at UI.

“Idaho Speaks!” is the University of Idaho 's Treasure Valley-based speakers' forum that features UI research. Registration includes lunch and costs $16. Checks payable to UIB may be sent to: “Idaho Speaks!” University of Idaho Boise , 800 Park Blvd. Ste. 200 , Boise , ID 83712

Additional details, including speaker bios, are available on the Internet at www.boise.uidaho.edu .


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Contacts: Sydney Sallabanks, UI Boise Communications, (208) 364-9916, sydneys@uidaho.edu or Bill Loftus, (208) 885-7694, bloftus@uidaho.edu.