Towards a biobanking strategy for amphibian conservation

A three day workshop co-hosted by ZSL and the European Xenopus Resource Centre.

Approximately one-third of the 6,260 amphibian species assessed to date are described as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring ABAC-members; biobanking practitioners from traditionally separate disciplines of Xenopus, fish and conservation research; and stewards of endangered amphibian populations (both in situ and ex situ) together for the first time for a series of presentations, discussions and demonstrations.

Together, these will provide the most up-to-date information on, as well as hands-on experience in, existing and emerging biobanking methodologies and will also highlight promising techniques not yet applied to amphibians.

• Presentations/discussions (ZSL, London): Mon and Tue 6-7 September
• Practical demonstrations (EXRC, Portsmouth): Wed 8 September

Approximately one-third of the 6,260 amphibian species assessed to date are described as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Biobanking is one of the key interventions highlighted in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (2007), formulated in order to help abate the Amphibian Extinction Crisis. The Amphibian Ark Biobanking Advisory Committee (ABAC) was formed in 2008. This group, consisting of individuals actively engaged, or with a strong interest, in amphibian biobanking has since expanded and now includes over 30 members worldwide.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring ABAC-members; biobanking practitioners from traditionally separate disciplines of Xenopus, fish and conservation research; and stewards of endangered amphibian populations (both in situ and ex situ) together for the first time for a series of presentations, discussions and demonstrations. Together, these will provide the most up-to-date information on, as well as hands-on experience in, existing and emerging biobanking methodologies and will also highlight promising techniques not yet applied to amphibians.

Furthermore, an inventory of existing amphibian biobanks, samples and facilities; a biobanking protocol handbook, and a strategy for expanding the number of amphibian biobanks/biobankers worldwide will be formulated.

Organised by Rhiannon Lloyd (Institute of Zoology, ZSL), Matt Guille (EXRC), Kevin Zippel (Amphibian Ark), Oliver Ryder (San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research) and Dominik Lermen (Fraunhofer-Institut für biomedizinische Technik)

Further info

• Programme: Including registration and abstract submission forms (1.7 MB)
• Accomodation options (18 KB)
• Flyer - Towards a biobanking strategy for amphibian conservation (1.3 MB)

Registration is open!

Enquiries please contact:

Rhiannon Lloyd,
Institute of Zoology,
Zoological Society of London,
Regent’s Park, London,
NW1 4RY, UK.
E: cryobanking@amphibianark.org ; T: +44 (0)20 7449 6664; F: +44 (0)20 7586 2870.

Event sponsors