Nov 29, 2010 New publication outlines field techniques to preserve tissue and specimen quality

An Abc Taxa publication on preservation techniques in the field for different tissue types and organisms has been released recently. Currently used field tissue storage methods and their efficiency are evaluated. Furthermore, recommendations are given on how to set up a collection plan and sampling strategy, checklists of documentation essentials and equipment for collection trips are appended.

The publication is available here.

Gemeinholzer, B., Rey, I., Weising, K., Grundmann, M., Muellner, A.N., Zetzsche, H., Droege, G., Seberg, O., Petersen, G., Rawson, D.M., Weigt, L.A. (2010): Organizing specimen and tissue preservation in the field for subsequent molecular analyses. IN: ABC-Taxa, Volume 8 - Manual on Field Recording Techniques and Protocols for All Taxa Biodiversity Inventories, Chapter 7, 129-157.

Nov 08, 2010 DNA Bank Network at the International Conference for Environmental Specimen Banks

Scientists of the BGBM DNA Bank, member of the DNA Bank Network, are invited to join the International Conference for Environmental Specimen Banks in Berlin hosted by Federal Environment Agency Germany on November 15-16, 2010. The conference aims to bring together biobanking experts and policy makers to address critical questions of environmental and human biomonitoring, analytical chemistry and nature protection. Presentation details:

Date & Time: Monday & Tuesday November 15 & 16, 2010, 10:30 - 18:00 pm, poster presentation.
Poster Title: The DNA Bank Network - A shared portal for organismic DNA and tissue banks.
Presenters: Gabriele Droege & Holger Zetzsche

Sep 15, 2010 DNA Bank Network to attend the congress "Tools for Identifying Biodiversity: Progress and Problems" in Paris, France

Representatives of the DNA Bank Network will present an overview of the DNA Bank Network at the congress "Tools for Identifying Biodiversity: Progress and Problems" taking place at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, France from September 20 - 22, 2010. Presentation details:

Date & Time: Tuesday & Wednesday September 21 & 22, 2010, 13:30 - 15:00 pm, poster presentation nr. 36.
Poster Title: DNA Bank Network - connecting biological collections and sequence databases by means of long-term DNA storage with online accession.
Presenters: Matthias Geiger & Nicolas Straube

May 20, 2010 DNA Bank Network to present at the SPNHC & CBA-ABC Joint Conference in Ottawa, Canada

Scientists of the DNA Bank Network will introduce their project and webportal at this years SPNHC conference - Biodiversity 2010 and Beyond - Science and Collections. taking place at the University of Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) from May 31 - June 5, 2010. Presentation details:

Date/Time/Room: Thursday June 3, 2010, 9:20 - 9:40 am, Desmarais, Room 1130
Session Title: SPNHC Digitizing Initiatives
Presentation Title: DNA Bank Network - Referencing DNA with specimens, sequences and publications based on GBIF web services
Presenters: Holger Zetzsche & Gabriele Droege

May 20, 2010 Species inventory at the GEO Day of Biodiversity 2010

Botanists of the Botanischer Verein von Berlin und Brandenburg, the DNA Bank Network, and the Botanic Garden and the Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem will go on a field excursion around Kerkwitz (Niederlausitz) contributing to this years GEO Day of Biodiversity (go to site). As a proposed open-pit brown coal mining region the lake-dotted landscape rich in woodland is severely endangered. Objective of the tour is the collection of witnessing voucher specimens and tissue samples for DNA extraction next to a species inventory.

At this year's GEO Day of Biodiversity 248 events in more than 8 countries will take place on June 12. In Germany, GEO Day of Biodiversity has for years been the largest field research campaign. During the GEO Day activities, species long since believed lost are frequently rediscovered. It is therefore an important contribution to efforts to document and conserve our flora and fauna. Find out more...

May 18, 2010 More than 4400 publications related to DNA samples and DNA vouchers searchable

Referencing a DNA sample to its specimen as well as to inferred DNA sequences and vice versa is one main focus of the DNA Bank Network. Publications related to DNA samples and their vouchers preserved by the partners of the DNA Bank Network are an additional valuable source. The DSMZ records each publication related to their strains centrally. This precious and very useful repository is now implemented into the Network's web portal, together with relevant publications of the other partners. Links to online versions of abstracts are included. Further publications will be added continuously. Go to site

May 03, 2010 9000 further vertebrate DNA voucher samples: complete Bavarian ichthyofauna available now!

In December 2003 the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology Munich (ZSM) and the Landesfischereiverband Bayern (LfB) initiated a large scale collection program, in order to cover the diversity of Bavarian freshwater fishes. The primary goal of the program was to collect, identify and deposit morphological and genetic voucher specimens of the approximately 100 naturally occurring fish species in all major and many minor drainages in Bavaria and adjacent regions. Now about 9000 DNA voucher samples covering almost 100% of the Bavarian fish fauna are available on demand.

Apr 14, 2010 Contribution at ISBER 2010 Annual Meeting in Rotterdam, Netherlands

A scientist of the DNA Bank Network has been selected to present at the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) 2010 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, May 11-14, 2010 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Presentation details:

Date/Time/Room: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 5:10 pm-5.30 pm, Fortis Bank Zaal
Session Title: Challenges and Solutions in Biobanking Technology and Information
Presentation Title: The DNA Bank Network - A shared portal for non-human biorepositories, providing live references to DNA and specimen data (abstract number NIN 05)
Presenter: Holger Zetzsche

Mar 22, 2010 Presentation at the International Symposium for Planning the Baekdudaegan Arboretum in Seoul, Korea

The DNA Bank Network will be represented by an invited speaker at the Planning Symposium for the Baekdudaegan Arboretum held on 29th March to1st April, 2010 at COEX in Seoulin (Seoul, South Korea) Presentation details:

Date: Wednesday, March 31 2010 Zetzsche, H., Droege, G., Zippel, E. & Gemeinholzer, B. - Collections management at the Botanical Museum and Botanic Garden Berlin-Dahlem (BGBM) - the DNA Bank as a driver for data and knowledge integration.