Webinar Invite | What We Learned At The Global Genome Biodiversity Conference

Some problems are too big to handle alone. Preserving and understanding biodiversity is one of those problems. That’s why the Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) is proud to be a member of the Global Genome Biodiversity Network – and to have taken part in the GGBN  2023 conference in Aguascalientes, Mexico in October.  

The Conference gathered together biodiversity biobanking experts from around the world to explore a wide array of topics, from basic databasing processes to environmental specimens and data analysis. And no fewer than five of those experts hailed from institutions forming part of the BBSA:

• Dr Adepemi Ogundeji – Biobank Curator, UFS Yeast Culture Collection
• Dr Anita Burger – Research & Innovation Manager, UWC Institute for Microbial Biotechnology & Metagenomics
• Kim Labuschagne – Biobank Director, SANBI (Wildlife) Biobank
• Leana Freese – Veterinary Technologist, SANParks Veterinary Wildlife Biobanks
• Dr Mudzuli Mavhunga – Biobank Curator, SANBI Indigenous Plant DNA Biobank

These delegates presented and attended talks, and participated in discussions, and proved our standing on the global stage – so much so that South Africa has been selected to host the next GGBN Conference in 2025 (more on that later!).

They’re ready to share what they’ve learned – and help prepare us for the next phase of our GGBN partnership.

GGBN Conference Reflection Webinar Event Details

• Date: 7 December 2023
• Time: 11:00 – 12h30
• Platform: Zoom
• Webinar ID: 889 7080 4053
• Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkcOmgrj8qH9dqqJdZLO0aqH8a6U2XXEG8 

The Global Genome Biodiversity Network Conference in October 2023 gathered biodiversity biobanking experts from around the world to share knowledge, forge partnerships and discuss future efforts. In this webinar, our BBSA supported delegates share their experience – and what it means for the future of biodiversity biobanking in South Africa.

NOTE: The webinar is open to anyone interested in biodiversity biobanking in South Africa and beyond – the more, the merrier. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, make suggestions…and find out how to get involved in the next Global Genome Biodiversity Network Conference in 2025.

About the Global Genome Biodiversity Network

The Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN) is an international network of institutions and organisations that share a common interest in long-term preservation of genomic samples of Earth’s biodiversity. The GGBN has over 100 institutional and consortium members, representing nearly 40 countries – including South Africa, where the biobanks of the Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) are all GGBN members.

Want to know more about the Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa and its relation to the GGBN? Find out here. And for further enquiries about the meeting, the BBSA or related matters, please contact Michelle Hamer at m.hamer@sanbi.org.za.