‘Noah's Ark’: Russia to build world first DNA databank of all living things
Moscow State University (MSU) has been awarded Russia’s largest-ever science grant for the project ‘Noah’s Ark’ on the construction of a 166 square mile facility to hold DNA. If the project is successful it will hold DNA samples from every known species, living and extinct, by 2018.
The database will collect biomaterials from all of MSU’s scientific branches including the zoological museum, botanical garden and anthropological museum. All of the universities departments will be involved in the project including research and collecting materials.
The University hopes that the 1 billion ruble ($194 million US) project funded by the Russian Science Foundation will promote participation by the University’s younger generation of scientists.
