LMSE Frozen Tissue Collections
The Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Ecology (LMSE) serves as the Academy’s repository for permanent archival of tissues such that they can be useful to future molecular researchers. At present, only Ornithology tissue (see below) are accessioned and available for loan, but additional taxa are in the process of being curated will soon be added as loanable material. Funds from the LMSE have been used to significantly increase storage capacity and provide backup systems to maintain a consistent holding temperature of -80°C. Additionally the LMSE is actively upgrading the storage of individual tissue samples to ensure the long-term stability of these specimens.
Ornithology Tissue Project
Frank Gill and Fred Sheldon established the frozen tissue collection at the Academy nearly 20 years ago. Today, the ornithology tissue collection houses tissue samples taken from over 13,000 birds representing over 4000 species of birds. Staff in the LMSE along with Ornithology Collection Manager Nate Rice have created a comprehensive database, transferred tissues into archival quality, cryostorage tubes and relabeled every sample with archival quality labels.
From LMSE and the Ornithology Department, the staff have endeavored to bring this tissue collection up to modern standards which will facilitate access to these important materials for years to come.
Contact Nate Rice for more information on the Ornithology Frozen Tissue Collection.