DNA banking is the secure, long term storage of an individual’s
genetic material.
DNA is most commonly extracted from
blood, but can also be obtained from
saliva
Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be ...
and other
tissues. DNA banks allow for conservation of genetic material and comparative analysis of an individual's genetic information. Analyzing an individual's DNA can allow scientists to predict
genetic disorders, as used in preventive genetics or
gene therapy, and prove that person's identity, as used in the
criminal justice system. There are multiple methods for testing and analyzing genetic information including
restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and
polymerase chain reactions (PCR).
Uses
DNA banking is used to conserve genetic material, especially that of organisms that face
extinction. This is a more prominent issue today due to
deforestation and
climate change, which serve as a threat to
biodiversity. The genetic information can be stored within
lambda phage and plasma vectors. The National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS) DNA Bank, for example, collects the DNA of agricultural organisms, such as rice and fish, for scientific research. Most DNA provided by DNA banks is used for studies to attempt to develop more productive or more environmentally friendly agricultural species. Some DNA banks also store the DNA of rare or
endangered species
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...
to ensure their survival.
The DNA bank can be used to compare and analyze DNA samples. Comparison of DNA samples allowed scientists to work on the
Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of the genes of the human genome from both a ...
, which maps out many of the genes on human DNA. It has also led to the development of preventive genetics. Samples from the DNA bank have been used to identify patterns and determine which genes lead to specific disorders. Once people know which genes lead to disorders, people can take steps to lessen the effects of that disorder. This can occur through adjustments in lifestyle, as demonstrated in
preventive healthcare, or even through gene therapy. DNA can be banked at any time during a person's life.
DNA banks were introduced to the criminal justice system in the 1980s. This system makes it possible to rule out or confirm the verdict of a suspect based on their personal genetic code. Once an individual’s DNA is stored, it remains in the system permanently; allowing law enforcement to identify and track criminals more easily. There is some controversy about this topic as some individuals believe the storage of citizen's DNA is
an invasion of privacy.
DNA banking capsules are also starting to be used for retaining the DNA of the deceased, a service offered by some funeral homes.
Processes
Scientists are capable of retrieving genetic information from
hair
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals.
The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and f ...
,
skin, blood,
sperm
Sperm is the male reproductive cell, or gamete, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction (forms in which there is a larger, female reproductive cell and a smaller, male one). Animals produce motile sperm with a tail known as a flagellum, whi ...
, tissue, and saliva as long as the sample contains intact DNA.
Nucleotide sequences between humans differ by only 0.1%. Even so, this 0.1% includes approximately three million bases. DNA can be analyzed through restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and Polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The RFLP process was introduced in 1988. Restriction enzymes digest portions of the DNA, leaving short fragments. These fragments are sorted through gel
electrophoresis
Electrophoresis, from Ancient Greek ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron, "amber") and φόρησις (phórēsis, "the act of bearing"), is the motion of dispersed particles relative to a fluid under the influence of a spatially uniform electric fie ...
. The gel demonstrates the length of the fragments allowing specialists to determine whether the fragments came from the same person. PCR is more commonly used today because it more efficient and requires smaller samples of genetic samples.
Organizations
There are various organizations founded for the purpose of storing and analyzing DNA sample. For example; The
UK Biobank contains DNA samples of 500,000 individuals aged between 40 and 69 when their samples were taken in the years 2006-2010 . The Human DNA Bank India at Lucknow city, the Asia's firs
Human DNA Banktakes the DNA of common public, stores it for 50 years, takes their biometrics as well and provide them a UID DNA card. This system is an absolute mean of identity and is very helpful for the concerned associations in many conditions like identification at any mass gathering, identification at any massive calamity, identification at terrorist attacks, identification of any individual even if they are hiding their real identit
The director Dr. Saeed Ahmad has establishe
Asia's first human DNA bank
in India and has been well known throughout the world for his work on DNA. Under IQRA Biotech Services this human DNA bank which is in public-privet-partnership with Biotech Park, Lucknow under the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of Science and Technology. IQRA Biotech Services has also established a cord blood and stem cell bank
See also
* DNA database
References
External links
List of DNA banks by Global Genome Biodiversity Network
NIAS DNA bank
DNA Bank Network
DNA Stewardship
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dna Bank
Conservation biology
Molecular biology
Biorepositories