One of the most powerful applications of modern molecular biology is its ability to reveal what traditional observation sometimes cannot. In our research, my colleagues and I uncovered genetic evidence of the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), a critically endangered subspecies long believed to be locally extinct in parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
For years, conservation literature had suggested that the Arabian leopard had disappeared from several regions, including parts of Saudi Arabia. However, through DNA analysis of scat samples collected in the remote Sarawat Mountains, we obtained the first molecular confirmation that the species still exists in this region.
This discovery arrived at a critical moment. Conservationists had begun considering the introduction of non-native leopard populations to restore predators in the ecosystem. Without genetic evidence confirming the presence of native animals, such reintroductions could have unintentionally threatened the remaining local population through hybridization or ecological disruption.
“We are publishing the first molecular proof of the existence of the Arabian leopard in this region. Other works had described this species as extinct in Saudi Arabia, but we always wondered whether a small population remained. When the genetic data confirmed it, it was an incredible moment.” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12686-026-01414-z?utm_source=researchgate.net&utm_medium=article
Our findings demonstrate how molecular tools can directly influence conservation policy, ensuring that protection strategies are based on accurate biological evidence.
Fieldwork in Extreme Environments
Collecting these samples was far from straightforward. The Sarawat Mountains lie more than 1,000 kilometers from our laboratory in Riyadh, close to the Yemeni border. The terrain is rugged and semi-desert, making travel and sampling logistically challenging.
In traditional molecular ecology workflows, field samples must be transported back to the laboratory under strict preservation conditions. This often requires dry ice or liquid nitrogen, which are both expensive and extremely difficult to transport to remote locations.
Even more frustrating was the lack of flexibility. Only after returning to the laboratory could we determine whether the samples were viable. If the results were interesting—or suggested a rare species—we would need to organize another costly expedition to the same remote sites.
These challenges pushed me to search for a different solution.
To overcome these limitations, I began experimenting with portable molecular biology technologies that allow genetic analyses directly in the field.
Today, my fieldwork includes a mobile laboratory system combining:
- Bento Lab – a compact device integrating a PCR thermocycler, centrifuge, and gel electrophoresis system
- Oxford Nanopore MinION – a portable DNA sequencer capable of real-time genomic analysis
- Lightweight molecular kits for DNA extraction and barcoding
This portable pipeline allows us to conduct DNA barcoding workflows directly at the sampling site, including:
- DNA extraction
- PCR amplification
- Gel electrophoresis verification
- Sequencing preparation
- Real-time genomic analysis
Instead of waiting weeks for laboratory confirmation, we can evaluate samples immediately in the field, identify promising results, and collect additional material during the same expedition.
This approach dramatically improves efficiency and reduces the cost and environmental footprint of field expeditions.
Beyond leopard research, these portable technologies are central to my broader work in environmental DNA (eDNA) and biodiversity monitoring.
eDNA refers to genetic material that organisms leave behind in the environment—such as in water, soil, or feces. By sequencing this DNA, scientists can identify species present in an ecosystem without directly observing or capturing them.
Using these techniques, my research has explored:
- Biodiversity assessment in bats and other vertebrates
- Microbiome studies associated with wildlife
- Disease ecology and pathogen surveillance
- Conservation genetics of endangered species
Because eDNA approaches are non-invasive, they are particularly valuable for studying rare or elusive animals, minimizing disturbance to sensitive ecosystems.
From confirming the survival of endangered predators to monitoring biodiversity using environmental DNA, modern genomics offers unprecedented tools for conservation.
However, technology alone is not enough. Access to these tools must be democratized, especially in regions where biodiversity is richest but scientific infrastructure is limited.
Portable laboratories, field sequencing, and open training initiatives represent a new model of inclusive and decentralized science.
Through these approaches, we can empower researchers, students, and communities across Africa and the Middle East to study and protect their own ecosystems.
Because conservation begins with knowledge—and today, DNA allows us to read the hidden stories of life on Earth.