Cryobanking biomaterials from wild animal species to conserve genes and biodiversity: Relevance to human biobanking and biomedical research

Abstract

When considering the topic of biobanking, it is natural to think first about the collection, storage and use of human biomaterials, a process now considered essential for addressing many diseases and medical conditions. But for more than 25 years, systematic gathering and cryo-storage of biomaterials from diverse wild species have been ongoing to save gene diversity and improve captive (ex situ) and wild (in situ) animal management. Whereas repositories for humans generally are highly specialized toward a targeted medical issue, cryo-storage of non-human biomaterials offers broader opportunities-from helping understand the fundamental biology of unstudied species to enhanced conservation breeding, genomics and veterinary medicine. While promoted for decades, the banking of germplasm, tissue, blood and DNA from wildlife species only recently has been considered by some to be a core function of animal conservation programs. There are commonalities between human and wildlife biobanking programs, including similar needs to harmonize sample and data collection, management and most effective use as well as finding ways to be financially sustainable. We argue here for the need to build bridges between these two 'repository worlds', sharing what we do, addressing the substantial remaining challenges and considering the advantages of a bigger, more integrated field of global biobanking science to benefit humans, diverse species and the planet.