Gene chip

Gene banks are a type of biorepository which preserve genetic material. For plants, this could be by freezing cuttings from the plant, or stocking the seeds (e.g. in a seed bank). For animals, this is often done by freezing sperm and eggs in liquid nitrogen (cryopreservation).

History

The concept of a gene bank was first postulated in the 1960s, but the first official gene bank was created in 1974 by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Function

Gene banks are used to store and preserve the genetic diversity of specific plants and animals. This is often done in the case of endangered species and heirloom plant varieties in order to preserve their genetic diversity for future generations. Gene banks can also be used for genetic research and for the breeding of new varieties of plants and animals.

Types of Gene Banks

There are several types of gene banks, including:

• Seed banks: These store seeds to preserve genetic diversity; this is the most common type of gene bank.
• Field banks: These store plants for traits that cannot be preserved in seeds, such as sweet potatoes and apples.
• In vitro plant storage: These store plants in a sterile, disease-free environment.
• Cryobanks: These store animal genetic material such as sperm and eggs.

Challenges

Gene banks face several challenges, including funding, maintaining the viability of seeds and genetic material, and navigating complex international laws regarding genetic resources.

See also

• Seed bank
• Cryopreservation
• Endangered species
• Genetic diversity
• Food and Agriculture Organization
• United Nations Environment Programme