Biobank repositories of frozen DNA, cells, gametes, and embryos are revolutionizing how we safeguard life, both human and wild. In healthcare, human biobanks fuel research on genetic diseases and infertility, enabling advanced treatments and preimplantation testing to reduce inherited disorders. In conservation, wildlife biobanks store reproductive material from endangered species, helping maintain genetic diversity and supporting breeding programs without the need to move animals across facilities. These efforts are essential for protecting entire ecosystems, especially as biodiversity loss accelerates.
But the impact of biobanks goes even deeper when viewed through the lens of the One Health concept, which recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment. Wildlife biobanks, for instance, play a vital role in monitoring disease outbreaks like fungal infections in bats, which can have implications for human health too. Additionally, the sharing of knowledge and techniques between human and animal biobanks, such as improvements in sample preservation and reproductive science, creates exciting opportunities to enhance fertility research, reduce disease risks, and promote global health resilience. Together, these biobanks serve as biological time capsules with the potential to protect our planet’s future.
You can find the complete article here: Human and wildlife biobanks of germplasms and reproductive tissues can contribute to a broader concept of One Health – ScienceDirect
