DNA study - biological samples needed!

[Darby Orcutt]

I've mentioned in the past that this was coming. Now I'm pleased to share that the project has officially launched. Please pass this information along to any who might have interesting specimens to offer:

 

Study of Allegedly Morphologically Anomalous Samples

 

The initial intake survey to offer samples is available online at:

https://csc-rc.cvm.ncsu.edu/surveys/?s=7R9HACAJMHH47J9N

 

For those who wish to contribute (which could help us to test more

samples and conduct deeper analyses), a tax-deductible gift to NC

State University can be made here (select "Science, Society, and the

Strange"): https://go.ncsu.edu/ges_donate

[Note that many employers will match any donation to NC State

University. See instructions at the bottom of the page.]

 

Thank you!

 

[hiflier]

Good Work, Darby. Congratulations and I hope you succeed in having submissions sent to you.

[norseman]

2 hours ago, Darby Orcutt said:

I've mentioned in the past that this was coming. Now I'm pleased to share that the project has officially launched. Please pass this information along to any who might have interesting specimens to offer:

 

Study of Allegedly Morphologically Anomalous Samples

 

The initial intake survey to offer samples is available online at:

https://csc-rc.cvm.ncsu.edu/surveys/?s=7R9HACAJMHH47J9N

 

For those who wish to contribute (which could help us to test more

samples and conduct deeper analyses), a tax-deductible gift to NC

State University can be made here (select "Science, Society, and the

Strange"): https://go.ncsu.edu/ges_donate

[Note that many employers will match any donation to NC State

University. See instructions at the bottom of the page.]

 

Thank you!

 

Do you still wanna make a try on the broken Elk femur I sent to Big Tree Walker?

[Catmandoo]

Is there a time limit in the way of remainder of 2023 or into 2024 or as long as the money lasts?

I would suggest that persons / groups that want to submit samples be required to give money to the program. My thoughts on donating money might be a way to minimize fakes.

I am reminded of the sad DNA samples sent to British geneticist Bryan Sykes (RIP). The Russian 'DNA' samples contained American Black Bear hair/fur.  That fake was international in scope to get Black Bear samples to Russia and then dump garbage on Sykes. Note: do not accept samples from Russia.

 

I read the sample survey. Good luck with the screening procedures.

 

[Darby Orcutt]

4 hours ago, norseman said:

Do you still wanna make a try on the broken Elk femur I sent to Big Tree Walker?

I'll PM you on that.

1 hour ago, Catmandoo said:

Is there a time limit in the way of remainder of 2023 or into 2024 or as long as the money lasts?

 

We've just launched, so we're not really thinking at this stage about when we might stop.

[bipedalist]

On 6/9/2023 at 2:32 PM, Darby Orcutt said:

I've mentioned in the past that this was coming. Now I'm pleased to share that the project has officially launched. Please pass this information along to any who might have interesting specimens to offer:

 

Study of Allegedly Morphologically Anomalous Samples

 

The initial intake survey to offer samples is available online at:

https://csc-rc.cvm.ncsu.edu/surveys/?s=7R9HACAJMHH47J9N

 

For those who wish to contribute (which could help us to test more

samples and conduct deeper analyses), a tax-deductible gift to NC

State University can be made here (select "Science, Society, and the

Strange"): https://go.ncsu.edu/ges_donate

[Note that many employers will match any donation to NC State

University. See instructions at the bottom of the page.]

 

Thank you!

 

 

I took the liberty to quote the physical sample  intake form descriptive wording from your url above, see below: 

 

Quote

We, a faculty-led research team at North Carolina State University, are conducting a study of allegedly morphologically anomalous physical samples. We are seeking biological specimens of an apparently unusual nature, and ask that anyone potentially offering such a sample please fill out this survey once for each sample being offered.

If and when your sample(s) are selected for the study, we may conduct a variety of analyses on them, including visual, microscopic, and genetic analyses. We will attempt to be as non-destructive as possible in testing, however some tests may result in the destruction of some or all of the sample. Below, you will have the opportunity to choose whether and how you will be credited for providing your sample(s).

If you have questions about the study or any issues using this form, or would like to change your decision about participation and whether or how you would like to be acknowledged , please contact the Principal Investigator, Darby Orcutt, at dcorcutt@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0364.

 

 

Good luck with your study wished I had something to submit. 

Edited December 30, 2024 by bipedalist

[bipedalist]

Quote

:Sykes also consulted with Dr. Henner Farenbach, who has studied sasquatch hair extensively, and who cheerfully submitted samples himself to Sykes for analysis.

 

 

Quote

 

In The Nature of the Beast, Bryan Sykes outlines a dna testing procedure that eliminates the "human contamination" results so common in previous testing. As long as the hair sample is collected with basic scientific care and it is fairly fresh, it should yield valid results. 

 

 

 

Going back to some other threads here is something I'm wondering if @Darby Orcutt is familiar with just in case Dr Henner Farenback is still a player and accessible.  Also wondering if Darby agrees that a medulla-less hair shaft without a hair bulb or skintag would produce no viable dna recovery? 

Edited January 1 by bipedalist

[Darby Orcutt]

Great questions.

What Sykes had to say about DNA recovery from such samples was true when he said it - but it is no longer the case. Ed Green pioneered a remarkable new method of retrieving DNA from hair lacking medulla only a few years ago (which we may use if necessary and/or one of my collaborators has another potential method of doing this).

[Darby Orcutt]

Regarding Henner, he is long retired and removed from the field, but in his 90s, still sharp as ever. I hunted him down a couple years ago and we talk from time to time. He has retreated from his claims about Sasquatch hair characteristics (in large part because he was never able to have his model verified via DNA testing). This is not to say that his model is wrong, just that it is conjectural. Both he and I regard the lack of medulla, for example, as perhaps alternatively explained as degradation of a hair that has been exposed to the elements for a long time, with hairs that have decayed medullas are far more likely to remain unidentified potentially not because they are of an unidentified species, but simply because they are degraded. Henner is eagerly anticipating what results may come from my project.

[bipedalist]

Appreciate the above explanation and understand.  Hope the sampling is proceeding with all expected dispatch. 

 

Anticipation reminds me of a ketchup commercial and Carly Simon song 

[Darby Orcutt]

I totally understand. I am learning just how much work it is and how long it takes to do all this the right way. We are meticulously documenting and proceeding stepwise. It some days feels like it will indeed take forever - but it will all be done *right.*

 

I'm working on a project update on my website soon. I am also always grateful for donations to NC State earmarked for this work: https://go.ncsu.edu/science-strange These help speed things along (e.g., support student research labor) as well as cover the costs of lab supplies and the deeper testing of more interesting/unusual samples.

[bipedalist]

 

 

Thought I would cross thread this post over to a good Neanderthal DNA article, click on the grayed out upper right arrow in the quote box

to take you to the links. Enjoy!