Nucleating Abalone

[Nathan Reed]

Hi guys! I’m back (was sick).

I realize that culturing abalone with nuclei is not possible because they are hemophiliacs. However I was wondering if any of these treatments might be helpful.

• Artificially adding fibrinogen and pro-thrombin to the wound (or blood, if that is in any way possible) to cause artificial clotting.
• Using recombinant DNA to genetically alter their natural state of hemophilia. (If this process can be used to make fish glow in the dark, I hope it can make abalones produce an inordinate amount of platelets for their species.)
• Use fibrin glue to seal the wound caused by incision. Fibrin glue basically does the job of clotting a wound and letting the body heal without having to worry about bleeding to death in the meantime. It is commonly used to seal complicated surgery situations where blood loss is critical.
• Cauterize the wound. There are surgical implements that cauterize the flesh immediately touching the blade as the cut is made. That should stop it from bleeding to death, but the nucleus might just pop out the hole. (Maybe a simple stitch would hold it in?)

Just spouting off ideas here, though I have great hope for the fibrin glue. You guys probably know more about the anatomy of abalones than anyone on the net, so I leave it up to you. Any ideas, or things that have been tried already? Any one? I’d soooo love to see the start of round abalones.

[GemGeek]

The competitive nature of the business would preclude the sharing of progress in this area, but I'm sure you've given some strong ideas.

Cultured Abalone Pearls. Don't you just love the sound of that? I'd have to have earrings and a pendant at the very least!

[smetzler]

Nathan,

I'm not the anatomy expert, but your range of credible scenarios sounds like it just might include a top-secret technique or two under study in Christchurch and Vancouver. I hope your thread attracts informative response, as this would be a new contribution to the forum.

PS: Just noticed this is posted in Natural Pearls, admin might consider moving.

[Nathan Reed]

PS: Just noticed this is posted in Natural Pearls, admin might consider moving.

Your absolutely right! I guess in my mind "abalone" and "natural" have been inseparably linked.

[knotty panda]

Wow! I love exploration. What methods are used to prevent bleeding in humans? I know absolutely nothing of this topic other than something I may have heard on the Discovery Channel a thousand years ago. Aren't normal methods such as cauterizing, suturing, gluing, ineffective as the blood is so thin it seeps through the wound regardless? Also, doesn't the wound cause internal bleeding? Like I said, I'm a real dummy about this. I'm just musing. But I love the thought process! BTW, my vote is for DNA restructuring. I wonder what adverse effects that might create. Keep this thought process going!

[Raisondetre]

In humans with hemophilia you inject factor VIII, but that's very expensive.

[knotty panda]

So, in other words, 't-ain't possible. Right?

[GemGeek]

Naw, I think it will be done within five years. Really. <sigh>

[knotty panda]

Wouldn't that be awesome!

[GemGeek]

Can you imagine a whole strand? I think it could be blinding!

[pattye]

Wow, that thought will keep me going!

I think it will be done within five years. Really

.

[GemGeek]

I think it will be accomplished within five years, not necessarily perfected for production, but we can always hope. I am certainly willing to take any "rejects" along the way!

[smetzler]

Before we get too excited it is worth remembering that we are talking about PPBs here, however brightly colored they might be. Imagine upon their creation, how homely those natural pauas will seem to the typical buyer!

[GemGeek]

I don't think there will ever be enough paua pearl product to make them common - they will always be rare beauties, whether natural or cultured.

[smetzler]

Come to think of it, the mabés would likely be the most adversely affected in terms of perceived value.