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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gene bank | 1/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_bank | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T09:02:03.687405+00:00 | kb-cron |
A gene bank is a type of biorepository that is used across the world to store the genetic material of animals, plants, and other organisms. It preserves their genetic information in the form of reproductive material like seeds, sperm, eggs, embryos, cells and other kinds of DNA. Oftentimes, these banks house the genetic material of species that are endangered or close to extinction.They are also used for the preservation of major crop species and cultivars, in order to preserve crop diversity.This protects the organism from threats like extinction, diseases, and climate change.
== Preservation methods == Preservation is done via the collection and storage of reproductive material from an organism. For example, seeds and cuttings may be collected from plants, spores may be collected from fungi, and sperm and egg cells may be collected from animals. Pollen is also an essential component for the reproduction of seed plants. It contains the male genetic material for fertilization of other plants and is stored through cryopreservation. Aquatic organisms, such as coral, are preserved via the collection of fragments that are sustained alive in a carefully controlled aquatic environment. The collected material is oftentimes stored at a temperature below 0 °C (32 °F). It may also be stored in cryogenic conditions using liquid nitrogen. Certain gene banks, called Field gene banks, are based around the continuous cultivation of living organisms, such as certain species of plants being raised in a controlled nutrient medium, or artificially created habitats that then harbor certain species. The database of the largest gene banks in the world can be queried via a common website, Genesys. A number of global gene banks are coordinated by the CGIAR Genebank Platform.
== Types of gene banks ==
=== Seed bank === Seed banks, also known as seed vaults, are large repositories where many different species of seeds are stored at freezing temperatures. They are used to preserve the genetic diversity for possible future uses. The temperature that the seeds are stored at depends on the type of seed and the length of the preservation. Short-term storage refers to seeds that are stored anywhere from 3–5 years and are typically stored at temperatures of 5 to 10 °C (41 to 50 °F). Medium term storage refers to seeds stored from 10 to 15 years and are typically stored at a temperature of 0 °C (32 °F). Seeds that are in long-term storage have been stored for 50+ years and are typically at a temperature of −18 to −20 °C (0 to −4 °F). It is also important that when seeds are stored, the moisture content of the seeds and the surrounding medium is kept low, otherwise the seeds will not be viable after long periods in freezing temperatures. The largest seed bank in the world is the Millennium Seed Bank housed at the Wellcome Trust Millennium Building (WTMB), located on the grounds of Wakehurst Place in West Sussex, near London.
=== In-Vitro bank === An in vitro bank is another type of gene bank that stores plant or animal genetic material. It is a controlled, lab-based environment and not a traditional vault with dry or cytogenetic conditions similar to those seen in seed banks. In-vitro banks are responsible for storing genetic material like plant cells, embryos, and tissues. The samples are usually preserved in a nutrient medium, such as a test tube or culture dish. For example, buds, protocorm and meristematic cells are preserved through particular light and temperature arrangements in a nutrient medium, which is either a gel or in liquid form. This technique is used to preserve seedless plants and plants that reproduce asexually or require preservation as clones such as commercial cultivars. Oftentimes, these specimens require specific conditions for growth, so this bank is useful for preserving living tissues in a controlled and artificially supported environment.
=== Cryobank === In a cryobank, biological material such as sperm, eggs, and embryos, are preserved at very low temperatures. It is usually preserved in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of −196 °C (−320.8 °F). By freezing the seeds or embryos at this temperature, they can stay viable for at least a century. Cryobanks are often utilized for the Cryoconservation of animal genetic resources. These types of gene banks are helpful for the conservation of species facing extinction. An example of one of the largest animal cryobanks in the world is the Frozen zoo made by the San Diego Zoo, in San Diego California. The Frozen Zoo's collection contains over 10,000 living cells, oocytes, embryos, and other genetic material from thousands of species, including one extinct species. With animal cryobanks, freezing embryos is the preferred method instead of separating the egg and sperm because they are more resistant to the freezing process.