Biorepository
DNA and tissue collection
Overview
The biorepository (DNA and tissue collection) provides genetic and molecular reference material as a research infrastructure and complements the morphological holdings of our collection with a molecular dimension.
The collection comprises more than 58,000 DNA and tissue samples from all major animal groups. It is of great national and international significance, as it preserves genetic material from historical and current collections in the long term and makes it available for a wide range of research questions.
In terms of content, the biorepository covers a broad zoological spectrum, including Mollusca, Amphibia, Mammalia, Insecta and other recent invertebrates. Some of the samples are linked to type specimens in the research collection and are thus directly connected to taxonomic references. The geographical focus is aligned with the museum’s historical and current collection priorities and ranges from Europe through Africa to South America.
Depending on the material properties and intended use, the samples are stored at -20 °C, -80 °C or in liquid nitrogen at -196 °C. The technical infrastructure is designed for reliability, long-term stability and controlled accessibility.
Access
The curatorial management and technical infrastructure of the biorepository ensure the long-term usability of the samples. At the same time, we are systematically digitising the collections and making them available via international data portals.
Some of the samples can already be searched via the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN). Further references can be found here, amongst other places:
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- GenBank
- European Nucleotide Archive (ENA)
- DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ)
The use of DNA and tissue samples is carried out in accordance with international legal and ethical standards, in particular the Nagoya Protocol. The provenance and lawful acquisition of the samples are documented.
The collection is also integrated into supra-regional research infrastructures, including through participation in the Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv).
History
The collection was established in the early 2000s, as molecular genetic methods became increasingly important for biodiversity research. The aim was to systematically preserve genetic material and ensure its long-term availability as part of the research collection. The collection grew both through targeted sampling as part of research projects and through the retrospective cataloguing of existing specimens.
Research
The biorepository enables the use of genetic data in conjunction with the other holdings of the research collection. Key areas of research include:
- Taxonomy and systematics – genetic delineation and verification of species
- Biodiversity research – analysis of genetic diversity and population structures
- Evolutionary research – reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships
- Palaeogenetics – investigation of historical and subfossil genetic material
- Provenance and history of science – genetic classification of historical type specimens
The collection thus provides a molecular complement to the morphological, ecological and historical data held in the research collection.