Science & Technology

Russia to build 'Noah's Ark' DNA databank

By T.K. Randall
December 29, 2014

Image Credit: Simon de Myle (1570) via Wikimedia Commons In a modern day equivalent to the biblical story of Noah's Ark, scientists in Russia are planning to create the world's largest depository of preserved DNA samples.

The university has been awarded a large grant to begin building the 'ark' which will be situated on one of its central campuses.

Construction is expected to take just over three years to complete."I call the project ‘Noah's Ark,'" said Moscow State University rector Viktor Sadivnichy. "It will involve the creation of a depository – a databank for the storing of every living thing on Earth, including not only living, but disappearing and extinct organisms. This is the challenge we have set for ourselves."

Once completed the archive will cover an area of more than 430 square kilometers.

"It will enable us to cryogenically freeze and store various cellular materials, which can then reproduce," said Sadivnichy. " It will also contain information systems."

Source: Jerusalem Post

Tags: Russia, DNA