Inside the EAD gene bank protecting UAE's botanical treasures

Al Etihad

2 days ago

29 May 2025 00:04
MAYS IBRAHIM (AL AIN)The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)'s Plant Genetic Resource Centre (PGRC) in Al Ain is on a mission to preserve the UAE's native flora, and since it opened in 2024, it has already collected over 580 samples of 130 plant species from across the country.The centre serves as a gene bank that stores plant material in multiple forms: seeds, tissue, live plants, DNA, and even cultures.Speaking with Aletihad at a media tour on Tuesday, Maher Kabshawi, Head of the Seed Collection and Preservation Section, explained the process that goes into conserving native plant species.Collecting seeds from across the UAE is no easy task, Kabshawi said. "We have to go to the wild during specific seasons when plants are mature but not dried out. It can take several attempts, especially when targeting rare or endangered species."The goal is to conserve around 600 documented plant species in the UAE, but due to the scale of this mission, priorities have been set, he said. The initial focus is on 23 Abu Dhabi species that have been considered "threatened" on the IUCN Red List.Collected seeds undergo a meticulous multi-step process that includes cleaning, drying, testing, and cataloguing. Only once they meet strict moisture and quality standards are they stored in a 20°C cold room, designed to preserve up to 20,000 samples. Under these conditions, seeds can remain viable for up to 100 years, according to Kabshawi.
A High-Tech Facility The seed lab, where cutting-edge innovation meets meticulous scientific methods, is the gateway for every sample that enters the facility.Among the suite of specialised machines used at the lab is a videometer, the first of its kind in the country. This AI-powered device uses spectrometry to capture high-resolution images of seeds and read a wide range of traits, such as colour, shape, surface texture, and chlorophyll content."The videometer allows us to study seeds non-invasively," seed collection specialist Nuri Asmita said. "We can evaluate a seed's health, maturity, and moisture content without damaging it."The machine works by exposing seeds to specific light wavelengths, allowing scientists to detect internal traits based on how the seed reflects or absorbs light.In tandem, the lab uses an aspirator machine to separate seeds from debris and impurities collected in the field. Once cleaned, seeds are packaged with another precision tool: a counter that uses a light beam to count individual seeds as they pass through.
From Herbarium to Fungarium Plant specimens go to the herbarium, while tissue samples are used for cryopreservation and genomic research, supporting broader biodiversity conservation efforts.The herbarium, which already houses over 4,000 sheets representing 705 species, uses digital imaging - including 3D rendering - to document and preserve plant specimens for future study."Once we press, dry, and mount the samples, we digitise them, creating a record that can last for a century," Sabitha Sakkir, a flora scientist, told Aletihad.The centre has also launched the UAE's first fungarium, which currently includes around 40 fungal specimens, including the rare Ganoderma colossum, recorded for the first time in the country.
Genome Sequencing One of the most ambitious parts of the PGRC's mission is genome sequencing.In collaboration with G42 and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, the centre completed sequencing for six native species in its first phase, including the iconic Ghaf tree (Prosopis cineraria), dwarf palm, and seagrass (Halodule uninervis)."Sequencing is complex," Salama Al Mansoori, Plant Conservation Specialist at PGRC, told Aletihad. "It's time-intensive and technically demanding. That's why we prioritise species based on IUCN Red List classifications and ecological importance."Phase two of genome sequencing will focus on three key species, each vital to their respective ecosystems, according to EAD.Rhanterium epapposum (Arfaj), which supports desert biodiversity, plays a role in soil stabilisation and helps regulate microclimates. Orchradenus arabicus, a salt-tolerant shrub, enhances vegetation in saline habitats, supports pollinators, and aids in land restoration. Halophila stipulacea, a key seagrass species, stabilises sediment, improves water quality, and provides habitat for marine life, indicating healthy coastal ecosystems.Extracting DNA from arid-adapted species is especially challenging due to their fibrous structures, requiring laborious preparation and contamination control across three genome sequencing platforms for best-in-class resolution.
A Glasshouse for Native Flora A highlight of the centre is its 1,000-square-meter glasshouse, which simulates five major UAE habitats: coastal areas, sand sheets, sand dunes, wadis, and mountains.More than 65 native species grow here under controlled conditions, according to horticulture specialist Hassan Al Ahbabi.Al Mansoori pointed out that the building itself is a nod to local heritage and environmental consciousness. Its circular design mirrors the cross-section of the Ghaf tree, while the façade takes inspiration from Ghaf leaves.The structure uses terracotta for natural cooling, skylights for daylighting, and solar panels that provide more than 25% of its energy needs. Even the paint is chosen carefully to avoid disorienting migratory birds, she noted.Although the centre is not yet open to the general public, it actively hosts school and university groups.An interactive exhibition area with nine installations engages students in conservation science, plant identification, and genomics.
Al Mansoori said the centre will launch educational programmes next month, offering students aged 15 and up a week-long, hands-on experience working alongside scientists.