Scientific Services

2021/22 was a busy and productive year for the Veterinary Wildlife Services (VWS) Biobank. Biological samples were collected, processed and stored from 18 different species in the Kruger National Park (KNP) including 1167 serum, 697 plasma, 1861 whole blood, 541 tick, 908 skin and 906 hair samples. Additionally, the Kimberley biobank processed and stored samples from 21 species, including 689 serum, 357 plasma, 780 whole blood, 18 tick, 68 skin and 361 hair samples. During this period, 18 biomaterial sample requests from external researchers were received, evaluated and approved. A total of 3150 and 198 samples have been taken out of the KNP and  Kimberley biobanks, respectively, including serum, plasma, whole blood, hair, skin and a variety of tissue samples.

During this year, discussions have been ongoing with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and other biodiversity organisations in creating the Biodiversity Biobanks of South Africa (BBSA), an initiative to develop a collective strategy and infrastructure roadmap for South African biobanks. This initiative is being funded by the Department of Science and Innovation. The VWS Biobank is a core biobank within BBSA, and a primary objective is to support national and international research and development. With funding provided by BBSA, the VWS Biobank has been able to secure a variety of much-needed equipment to sustain ongoing functions.

For KNP, this funding included two ultra-low temperature (-80 °C) chest freezers, a 30 KVA backup generator for the VWS biobank, laboratories and offices, a monitor for the biobank building should a -80 °C freezer back-up CO² cylinder leak, and funding for infrastructure expansion and improvements. Additionally, the VWS Kimberley biobank has received funding for an ultra-low temperature (-80 °C) chest freezer and a specialised biosafety cabinet for processing biological specimens.

Funding has also been provided to appoint a biobank technician, a 2-year contract position, to assist with biobank functions paying special attention to continuity and organising past and future samples.

VWS Biobank room at Skukuza, Kruger National Park, the recently renovated biobank is equipped with ultra low temperature freezers that freezes samples at -80°C . Photo by Leana Freese

The skin sample archive at Skukuza where skin samples are neatly organised, each with its own unique address for easy sample recovery. Photo by Leana Freese

This article was written by Leana Freese, Zinhle Manda and Angela Daly from Veterinary Wildlife Services and originally published in the 2021/2022 Research Report.