Now what? Pre-and post-analysis preservation of ancient animal and human molecular products

With the advent of the “genomic revolution” and the rapid refinement of techniques of molecular biology, academic institutions, such as museums and university collections, are at the forefront of specimen analysis. However, the lack and/or poor condition of preservation of molecular voucher generated from often fragile and rare specimens is a problem rarely addressed. To remedy this problem, the AMNH launched a frozen tissue collection, the Ambrose Monell Cryocollection (AM-CC) in May 2001. The AM-CC maintains specimens below -150 o Celsius and supports ongoing genetic research across taxa, from ancient to modern samples, by insuring that all research materials are vouchered (i.e. they point back to a specimen in a curated collection), a much-needed service that the Museum extends to the entire scientific community. Scientists using the Monell Collection have access to legally collected, authoritatively identified and properly documented specimens for use in their research, complete with Museum catalog numbers to reference in their scholarly publications. Researcher are also offered the possibility of vouchering their research by depositing the DNA or tissue samples gathered for their studies