DNA CONSERVATION AND THE DNA BANK-NETWORK


Dr. Robert P. Adams
Baylor University, USA




Genetic transfers from insects, bacteria, viruses, animals, 
and plants to unrelated organisms indicate that we must now 
view the worldUs genetic resources (genes, DNA) from a 
horizontal prespective in which gene transfers will cut 
across species, genera and family boundaries. The worldUs 
biota should now be considered a horizontal gene pool.

Previously, we have utilized only vertical gene pools 
(i.e., breeding with ancestral or derived taxa that are 
closely related in order to make fertile or semiPfertile 
crosses. The development of pharmaceutical farming, 
bioreactors and even insect resistance in our field crops 
will now utilize genes from distantly related taxa (i.e., 
the horizontal gene pool).

The recent advances in technology for the extraction and 
inmobilization of DNA, coupled with the prospect of the 
loss of significant plant genetic resources throughout the 
world, has led to the establishment of DNA BankPNet. DNA 
BankPNet is an association of institutions focused on 
preserving DNA as well as in vitro cryopreservation of 
plant cells. There are over forty institutions, 
representing 25 nations and every continent, that have 
expressed interest in DNA BankPNet.


Topics:
I. Structure and Operation of DNA BankPNet
	A. Working (DNA dispensing) nodes
		a. Collection of plant material by taxonomists.
		b. DNA extraction by molecular biologists or trained 
                   staff.
		c. Long term preservation of DNAPrich materials 
                   and/or extracted DNA in liquid nitrogen.
		d. DNA analysis/gene replication by molecular 
                   biologists or trained staff.
		e. Distribution of DNA (genes, gene segments, 
                   oligonucleotides, etc.).
	B. Reserve (base) nodes
		a. Long term DNA preservation in liquid nitrogen and 
                   monitoring of potential DNA degradation.
		b. Act as genetic reserve buffer for working nodes.
		c. Replenishment of DNA if a working node 
                   experiences the catastrophic loss of storage parameters and
                   DNA.
II. General Requirements for Nodes in the  DNA BankPNet
III. Plant specimens collectors P an underutilized resource
IV. Interim Field Preservation of Specimens
V. Future Directions
	A. in vitro amplification
	B. Inmobilized DNA




References


Adams, R. P. and J. E. Adams. 1992. Conservation of plant 
genes: DNA banking and in vitro Biotechnology. Academic 
Press, NY.
Doyle, J. J. and J. L. Doyle. 1987. A rapid DNA isolation 
procedure for small quantities from fresh leaf tissue. 
Phytochem. Bull. 19:11-15.
Pyle, M. M. and R. P. Adams. 1989. In situ preservation of 
DNA in plants specimens. Taxon 38:576P581.