NEWS and credibility – and accessibility ," said Prof . Hamer .
The BBSA provides a coordinating structure across several of South Africa ' s existing biodiversity biobanks , with the main aim of increasing the range and quality of samples stored and / or distributed , and improving access for research and development through a single , centralised data portal , which will also allow a more strategic collection of samples .
Some of the many BBSA biobanks include the Department of Agriculture , Land Reform and Rural Development ' s National Plant Genetic Resources Centre , the Grootfontein Biobank for South African sheep and goat breeds , and several Agricultural Research Council biobanks . South African National Parks has veterinary wildlife service biobanks in Skukuza and Kimberley , the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity has one , and SANBI ' s has a biobank with indigenous plant material for DNA extraction .
There is a herpetology biobank , and one for indigenous plants and seeds , as well as the University of the Free State ' s yeast culture collection , and an extensive collection of microbial isolates at the University of Western Cape ' s Institute of Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics .
The importance of the BBSA extends beyond just the biobanking community , explained the SANBI CEO , Mr Shonisani Munzhedzi .
" At SANBI , we understand that the impact of the biodiversity sector is broad ," he said . " Our understanding of biodiversity affects our understanding of the arts , culture , health , technology , sport and more . The way we manage our biodiversity affects our economy , our environment , and our society . And we can ' t manage what we don ' t know . So the work done by the BBSA is of the utmost importance ."
Last week ' s launch formed part of a three-day Biodiversity Biobank SA Forum , that brought the country ' s biodiversity biobank community together to discuss the value and role of biobanks in food security , conservation , biotechnology innovation and capacity development .
For more information , contact Prof . Michelle Hamer at m . hamer @ sanbi . org . za or Taslima Viljoen at 082 990 1685 .
About Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa
Figure 2 . Prof . Michelle Hamer from SANBI , BBSA lead
Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa ( BBSA ) provides a system of repositories of genetic resources , including reproductive tissues such as seeds , egg and sperm , and other tissues including blood , DNA extracts and microbial cultures , representing species , strains , varieties and breeds present in South Africa , including domesticated crops and livestock .
Its collections can be used to support research , capacity development and the development of new or improved products and practices in the fields of agriculture , human health and well-being , environmental management and conservation biology .
About the South African National Biodiversity Institute
The South African National Biodiversity
Institute ( SANBI ) contributes to South Africa ' s sustainable development by facilitating access to biodiversity data , generating information and knowledge , building capacity , providing policy advice , and showcasing and conserving biodiversity in its national botanical and zoological gardens .
SANBI is tasked with research and the dissemination of information on biodiversity , and legally mandated to contribute to the management of the country ' s biodiversity resources , under the authority of the South African Department of Forestry , Fisheries and the Environment .
Issued by the South African National Biodiversity Institute ( SANBI ) and the Department of Science and Innovation
Grassroots Vol 23 No 2 July 2023 24