Technical Abstract: The role of population genetics in assessing the quality and maintenance of ex situ variation is a critical component of genebanking operations worldwide. New analytical approaches developed for whole genome characterization of model organisms can be effectively used to gain insight into the ex situ process and help guide protocols that make genebanking more efficient at maintaining variation and making it available for future research. I will review research in estimating genetic structure, identifying core subsets and linking phenotypic and genotypic data.