The NordFrost network has organised two webinars, one physical workshop and two hands-on workshops for the Nordic stakeholders. In addition, together with the Finnish authorities, the NordFrost network initiated legislative amendments and guidelines related to new sample collection practices for gene banks. Subsequently, these updates can serve as an example in other Nordic countries. The NordFrost steering group also made a study trip to UK to become familiar with the outlook of well-managed charities and organisations related to gene banking of AnGR.
The two webinars were organised to discuss about the necessity of cryoconservation of AnGR and its current challenges. Following the webinars, a physical workshop and hands-on workshop were hosted at the Norwegian University for Life Sciences (NMBU) in Ås, Norway. The physical workshop focused on the status of cryoconservation of the AnGR among the Nordic countries and the suggestion of a possible back-up plan to secure the Nordic AnGR for the future. The participants in the hands-on workshop learned how to collect and cryopreserve epididymal sperm to broaden both knowledge and skills surrounding ex-situ conservation methods. The second practical workshop held at Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) aimed to further broaden the knowledge of the stakeholders about variety of tissue samples (testicular, ovarian and skin tissue) suitable for gene banking.