Biobanking as a conservation tool: The way to an amphibian cell line

Across the globe, amphibians are facing an extinction crisis, which is considered the worst loss in modern times of biodiversity amongst all vertebrate classes. This thesis investigates, addresses and provides some solutions for future amphibian conservation strategies with focus on biobanking of genetic material, which can be used in combination with assisted reproductive techniques.
Here I review and highlight the current status and challenges of biobanking as a conservation tool, alongside providing an overview of the most needed information regarding establishment of amphibian cell lines. I investigate the ideal growth conditions of amphibian cell lines focusing on collection, preparation, establishment, cryopreservation, quality checking and species-specific variations. Lastly, I highlight the possibilities and implications of biobanking as a conservation tool, but also illustrate how lacking knowledge and research can affect this attempt to prevent and reverse this catastrophic loss of biodiversity for the amphibians.