What can be Biobanked?
Many types of biomaterials can be deposited in biobanks, and different types can serve various purposes.
- Non-living DNA sample cells: Any sample containing DNA, such as skin, blood or feces. Somatic cells can be used for a multitude of conservation genomic applications.
- Living reproductive cells and tissues: Live sperm, eggs, embryos, and gonadal tissues can be preserved for assisted reproduction.
- Living somatic cells for cell culture: To preserve living cells, tissue samples (such as skin) can be collected from an animal either post mortem (soon after death) or during a routine veterinary procedure. Living cells, such as fibroblasts, are cultured from the sample, and then stored at ultra-cold temperatures with a cryoprotectant to keep them viable. Living cell cultures can be used for conservation genomic applications, genetic diversity rescue, and even cloning.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA): These are samples that come from the environment, rather than a single organism, such as a sample of soil, water, or even air.
See our list of biobank contacts for more information on specific biospecimen types and taxa that biobank managers work with, and how they prefer different materials to be preserved for different purposes.