A museum of local genetic resources for children could be established by Qatar Museums in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment (MoE)’s Agricultural Research Department.
A delegation from Qatar Museums yesterday visited the Agricultural Research Department to explore ways of mutual co-operation in the field of sample collection for local genetic resources as a preparation for the establishment of such a museum.
The aim of such an initiative is to raise awareness among youngsters about these resources and educate them on the importance of preserving them.
Massoud Jarallah al-Marri, director of the Agricultural Research Department, welcomed the delegation and briefed it on the department’s various sections and functions. He then accompanied the delegates on a tour of the biotechnology section, where specialists gave them an overview of the section’s importance, functions and objectives.
The specialists explained various key processes and methods to the delegation, including how to extract DNA from plants, animals and micro-organisms.
The Qatar Museums delegates visited the genetic resources section to assess the financial and technical capabilities of the Plant Genetic Resources units. They were also introduced to the components of the seed bank and the stages of preparation, processing and preservation of seeds.
Besides, the delegation toured the Animal Genetic Resources laboratory, where they reviewed models of evolution stages for sheep and camels from the uterus until birth. In addition, they got introduced to the process of mummification of reptiles.