Author
 |
Spooner, David |
|
Ruess, Holly |
|
Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2012 Publication Date: 5/13/2014 Citation: Spooner, D.M., Ruess, H.M. 2014. Curating DNA specimens. In: Salick, J., Konchar, K., Nesbitt, M., editors. Curating Biocultural Collections: A Handbook. Chicago, IL:University of Chicago Press. p. 97-106. Interpretive Summary: Ethnobiology is the scientific study of dynamic relationships among peoples, biota, and environments that make use of biocultural collections. DNA data are used in a variety of ethnobiological disciplines including archaeology, conservation, ecology, medicinal plants and natural products research, taxonomy and systematics, crop evolution and domestication, and genetic diversity. It frequently is convenient to store and share DNA among cooperating research groups. The purpose of this volume, to include other papers covering other aspects of biocultural collections, is to summarize standards for tissue collection, DNA extraction and DNA storage. It also describes DNA banks and legal and ethical considerations for sharing DNA internationally. It provides very practical guidelines for curators maintaining DNA collections. Technical Abstract: DNA data are used in a variety of ethnobiological disciplines including archaeology, conservation, ecology, medicinal plants and natural products research, taxonomy and systematics, crop evolution and domestication, and genetic diversity. It frequently is convenient to store and share DNA among cooperating research groups. The purpose of this article is to survey a variety of techniques for tissue collection, DNA extraction and DNA storage. It also describes DNA banks and legal and ethical considerations for sharing DNA internationally. |
