Type Culture Collections their Databases

Abstract

Microbial culture collections, also known as Biological Resource Centers (BRC), are primary suppliers of microbial cultures (germplasm) for medical, agricultural, and biotechnological research and development. Many countries have one or more culture collections that may specialize in certain microbial groups or may offer a broad coverage of many different microbial groups. Many of the larger collections are International Depositary Authorities under the Budapest Treaty and in this capacity accept patent cultures. A major goal of culture collections is long-term preservation of strains without genetic change. Methods for preservation include freeze-drying (lyophilization), L-drying, and ultracold freezing with liquid nitrogen. Culture collections are also centers of taxonomic and microbiological expertise.