Webinar Invite | Biodiversity Biobanks Gap Analysis & Expansion Project
South Africa is considered as one of the 17 megadiverse countries globally, with not only exceptional species richness, but also exceptional levels of uniqueness (endemism), and biome and ecosystem diversity.
Biodiversity biobanks are essential to preserving this vast biodiversity heritage (and food security, conservation, economic development, health, research and capacity development). But to get the most out of them, we need to know what’s in them – and what isn’t.
The BBSA Gap Analysis & Expansion Project aims to ensure that biodiversity biobanks have appropriate holdings so that they serve society in terms of food security, conservation, economic development, health, research and capacity development.
Post-doctoral researchers Felix Fru, Rekha Sathyan and Jacek Zawada have been working on the proposal, and are ready to:
- present more details about the project;
- discuss the data needed from the biobanks; and
- explain the type of analyses that will be done.
Biodiversity Biobanks Gap Analysis Webinar Details
At the Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa Forum earlier this year, biobank researchers, curators and managers discussed a proposal to conduct an inventory assessment, gap analysis and expansion project for the biodiversity biobanks. This webinar will explore the results of a pilot analysis, and discuss what needs to be done to achieve these aims with the BBSA’s participating biobanks.
- Date: 14 June 2023
- Time: 11:00 – 12h00
- Platform: Zoom
- Webinar ID: 816 5442 0563
- Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_15NLGv6yTLyMmyxJKPFgUQ
NOTE: The webinar is open to anyone interested in this project – the more, the merrier. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, make suggestions, and to get involved in the project if you are interested.
About the BBSA
The Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) provides a coordinating structure across several of South Africa’s biodiversity biobanks. The vision of the BBSA is about securing and exploring South Africa’s biodiversity – by increasing the range and quality of samples stored and/or distributed, and increasing and improving access for research and development through a single, centralised data portal, which will also allow more strategic collection of samples.
Want to know more about the Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa?
- BBSA Website: https://bbsa.org.za/
- Facebook: @BioBankSA
- Twitter: @BioBankSA
- LinkedIn: Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa
- YouTube: @BiodiversityBiobanksSA
For further enquiries about the webinar, the BBSA or related matters, please contact Michelle Hamer at m.hamer@sanbi.org.za.
What are biodiversity biobanks?
Biodiversity biobanks are repositories of biologically relevant resources, including reproductive tissues such as seeds, eggs and sperm, other tissues including blood, DNA extracts, microbial cultures (active and dormant), and environmental samples containing biological communities….
