Cutting edge biobanking
Developing cutting-edge techniques in reproductive management and cryopreservation and promoting the incorporation of these in and ex situ in a one-plan approach to conservation
Biobanking allows conservation scientists to preserve precious genetic material. It is not by itself a panacea but, when entwined with more traditional conservation methodologies, it is an important part of the conservation toolbox.
The process of cryobanking, which is being undertaken by scientists at Chester Zoo, is already an established method of preserving human biological data. We are among the increasing body of organisations widening this to cover animal and plant samples.
Much like a seed bank, the cryopreservation of living cells, including oocytes, sperm, somatic cells and embryos allows this material to be stored for future use.
In the face of global biodiversity loss, Chester Zoo is investing in the conservation cryopreservation of genetic material from hundreds of vulnerable species.
Case study: conservation cryopreservation at Chester Zoo
The Problem:
The death of individual endangered and critically endangered animals represents not just the loss of an important individual, but also the loss of genetic diversity for the species as a whole.
Some species have diminished so rapidly that, even if the remaining species members successfully breed, the genetic pool will become homogenous, making the population especially vulnerable to disease and other genetic risk factors.
The Solution:
Cryobanking living cells, for instance gametes, retains useable genetic material which can be reintroduced to a population. Right now, this is possible through methods like artificial insemination, but the field is rapidly developing.
Chester Zoo scientists are banking genetic information from an increasing range of individuals and species in anticipation of future scientific breakthroughs.
The Chester Zoo science team is collecting an ever-more comprehensive catalogue of samples, all collected within strict legal and ethical frameworks and within clear internal protocols.
We also advocate internationally for a more unified, global approach to conservation cryopreservation. As this is a relatively new field, the conservation community is in the process of building international agreements, and Chester Zoo is a leading voice in that discussion. We also partner with scientific colleagues to pioneer new methodologies of living cell collection and retention.
Our conservation biobanking philosophy is underpinned by three key understandings:
That it is crucial to collect genetic data now in anticipation the emergence of new technologies and methods as, once lost, this material is irretrievable
That, while conservation cryopreservation initiatives have historically and understandably concentrated on critically endangered species, it is important to collect genetic material from species before they reach this point of precarity in order to retain genetic diversity
That it is important to represent as broad a swathe of species as possible in the samples, as mammals are historically over-represented compared to other classes of animals. Accordingly, we retain samples from reptiles, birds, amphibians and invertebrates.
The comprehensive biobanking of genetic material acts as a backstop to preventing extinction, and offers a safety net for species on the brink.