San Diego Institute for Conservation Research

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), formerly known as the San Diego Institute for Conservation Research, is a world-renowned non-profit conservation organization and research institute. Headquartered at the Beckman Center for Conservation Research, the organization integrates genetics, reproductive sciences, and disease surveillance to protect endangered species. A key component of their biotech capability is the 'Frozen Zoo,' the world's largest and most diverse collection of living cell cultures, gametes, and embryos from over 1,000 species. The institute is currently pioneering the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and advanced assisted reproductive technologies to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction. Their work represents a unique intersection of biotechnology and wildlife conservation, utilizing genomic sequencing and biobanking to ensure global biodiversity.