Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research
Project Number: 3012-31000-007-022-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Sep 30, 2026
Objective:
The objective of this activity is for USDA's National Animal Germplasm Program to acquire and store cryopreserved coral samples which have been collected and cryopreserved by NOAA and its cooperating laboratories. In addition to storing samples USDA will enter associated information into the Animal-GRIN database which can be viewed publicly. The elkhorn and staghorn coral will especially targeted given their endangered status.
Approach:
USDA National Animal Germplasm Program will acquire coral samples which various laboratories in the United States have cryopreserved. These samples will be stored in liquid nitrogen for long-term storage by USDA. Associated sample information will be entered and stored in the publicly viewable Animal-GRIN. NOAA cooperating laboratories may request samples for various uses with approval from NOAA; in which case USDA will distributed the requested samples.