Preserving living cells from skin samples creates a long-term genetic resource that can support conservation breeding, restore lost genetics after population bottlenecks, and protect valuable bloodlines for the future.
Gemini Genetics Conservation applies our established skin-sample cryopreservation process to conservation priorities — from native and rare breeds, to wild and endangered species, and livestock genetic security.
By preserving viable cells today, we help create options for tomorrow — including future assisted reproduction and, where appropriate, genetic replication to produce an identical genetic twin of an animal whose genetics would otherwise be lost.
When a breed or species experiences a genetic bottleneck (from disease, inbreeding, habitat loss, or sudden population decline), valuable DNA can disappear quickly.
Preserving genetics creates a resource that can be used to:
Explore the key environmental and biological factors that impact species survival and genetic diversity.
Safeguarding irreplaceable bloodlines
The UK has 14 native horse and pony breeds — and many are considered rare, with several listed as critically endangered. Genetic preservation can provide a practical conservation tool alongside traditional breeding programmes.
How it helps:
Typical use cases:
Protecting working lines and native breed diversity
Native and vulnerable canine populations can face shrinking gene pools, geographic isolation, and loss of key bloodlines. Preserving genetics can support long-term breed resilience — particularly for working, heritage, or geographically limited lines.
How it helps:
A future-facing tool for biodiversity protection
Genetic preservation has demonstrated applications in conservation, including cases where genetics from the past can be brought back to strengthen modern populations after bottlenecks.
Preserved skin cells may also support emerging technologies such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), where skin cells are reprogrammed and may one day be used to generate sperm and egg cells — creating new individuals and new genetic combinations from preserved DNA.
What we can support:
Important note: Wildlife projects are assessed case-by-case to ensure appropriate project suitability.
Preserving livestock genetics for future food security
Livestock biodiversity underpins resilience — against disease, climate pressure, and changing production needs. Genetic preservation can help protect rare and native livestock breeds and support long-term national capability.
Where it fits:
Gemini Genetics are a proud sister company to Elite Kennel Fertility. In 2023, we successfully hosted a 'Rare Breeds Dog Day' convention with Elite Kennel Fertility, focussing on how skin sample preservation, alongside traditional gamete collection can help preserve and protect canine native breeds for the future.
View Rare Breeds Dog Day Event →
Gemini Genetics is a trusted scientific partner to charity Nature’s SAFE; a living biobank for wild and endangered species conservation. Our team provides specialist expertise in mammalian genetic preservation and mammalian cell culture. To date, we have supported Nature’s SAFE in skin sample regenerative cryopreservation for over 400 species and are proud to continue to support them in their mission to Save Animals From Extinction.
Visit Nature's SAFE →
Our team are an established scientific partner for charity, the UK National Livestock Biobank. A vital organisation in the charity’s establishment and operation, our team have developed and supported the regenerative cryopreservation model of the biobank, to provide a robust resource to complement and strengthen existing gamete collections and conservation methods.
In 2024, we successfully hosted a 'Rare Breeds Stallion Day' convention with our sister company, Stallion AI Services. The day placed a spotlight on the challenges facing native breed equines and how skin sample preservation, alongside traditional gamete collection can help preserve and protect breeds for the future.
View Rare Breeds Stallion Day Event →Skin samples can preserve the full genetic set of an animal in viable cells. This differs from preserving only sperm or eggs, and can provide broader options for future assisted reproduction and conservation technologies.
What this can enable (where appropriate and permitted):
Our laboratory team are experts in their field, and we operate with a strong focus on quality control, documentation, and long-term stewardship of samples.
Genetic preservation stores viable cells for the future. In some circumstances and species, those cells may later be used for genetic replication to create an identical genetic twin — but preservation itself is the first step and can support multiple future pathways.
We can support many domestic species and selected wildlife projects. Wildlife and endangered species work is assessed case-by-case to ensure suitability and compliance.
Earlier is always better for planning. In time-critical situations, we can advise quickly on next steps and shipping.
If you’re a breed society, conservation organisation, wildlife partner, or livestock programme, we can discuss suitability, sampling requirements, and timelines.