Genetic Collections and Biodiversity Research and Conservation WORKSHOP

International seminar focused on the importance of genetic sample collections and genetic analyses for research and biodiversity conservation was held from 18th to 20th November 2015 at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, External Research Facility Studenec. Twenty five participants from nine different organizations listened to talks of six foreign guests and seven Czech experts. Invitation was accepted also by Prof. A. Johnsen and Dr. L. E. Johannessen from Natural History Museum, University of Oslo (NHMO), Norway, who participate on establishment of Czech Animal Genetic Bank. They informed about organization of NHMO DNA bank and research based on the DNA bank samples. Participation of Norwegian colleagues at the workshop was funded by initiative EHP-CZ02-BFB-1-060-2015. Projection of two documentary films about the research at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology CAS, exhibition “Living Nature of Oslava and Chvojnice river valleys” and excursion to the Mohelenská hadcová step National Nature Reserve were also parts of the seminar program.

We learned how genetic collections and related databases are organized in several foreign institutions, how diverse research can be conducted based on the genetic bank samples and, thanks to the genetic research and monitoring, we looked into the life of several rare or endangered plant and animal species. Discussions to presented topics continued during evening social events and the seminar was therefore very intensive. We believe it contributed to joining the worlds of research, practical biology and state nature conservation. We thank all participants for their contributions.