Primate biomaterials resource

The rapid advance in technical ability to examine genetic structures, their function, and their variation has opened a new and easily accessible window on a wide variety of questions. First applied most visibly in the sequencing of the human genome, this technology now allows powerful new insights into the origin of humans and relatedness of other species. At a workshop held at the National Science Foundation (USA) in May, 2000, a panel met to assess the need for creating a resource of biological samples, e.g., cell lines, tissues, DNA, RNA, cDNA samples, and genomic resources such as BAC or cDNA libraries, for primate conservation, evolution and population research. In anticipating future needs, the consensus was to develop a collection of primate biomaterials with several components: extensive sampling across species and intensive sampling of a few species for developmental and comparative genomic studies. For these purposes, high-quality, well characterized samples with extensive data will be assembled and provided inexpensively for non-commercial use to investigators to meet diverse scientific and conservation goals. It is anticipated that the long term impact of a comprehensive primate biomaterials resource will extend to the preservation of a valuable record of the biological and genetic diversity of endangered species. We welcome discussions from the scientific community about the establishment of this resource.