Microbial Culture Collection (MCC) and International Depositary Authority (IDA) at National Centre for Cell Science,Pune

Culture collections are valuable resources for the sustainable use of microbial diversity and its conservation. Advances in biotechnology have further increased their importance and some of these have been recognized as International Depositary Authority (IDA) for the deposition of patent cultures. Microbial Culture Collection at National Centre for Cell Science was established by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India is country’s newest culture collection with largest holdings. It is recognized as an IDA under the Budapest Treaty and Designated National Repository under the Biodiversity Act 2002. This article describes its various service related activities.     

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN; http://usccn.org) is “to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind.” Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections.     

Guidelines for establishing a culture collection within a biotechnology company

Culture collections within large pharmaceutical and biological companies act as depositories for preserving and maintaining important strains owned by, on the premises of, or sought on behalf of, the company. Other functions of a culture collection include: (a) regulating the flow of cultures into and out of the company; (b) recording and documenting such transfers; and (c) characterizing and/or identifying strains used for research, publications and patents. A culture collection within a biotechnology company is often required to maintain a diverse group of both prokaryote and eukaryote recombinant and non-recombinant strains. All strains and plasmids must be carefully characterized and preserved. A microbiologist with a strong background in microbial physiology, genetics and taxonomy is usually responsible for supervising the culture collection. This article focuses on guidelines for establishing a culture collection in biotechnology companies to serve the needs of both the scientist and the company.     

The convention on Biological Diversity: Some implications for microbiology and microbial culture collections

The coming into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity has led to a series of discussions aiming to clarify its implementation. A number of uncertainties exist at the microbial level and there is a lack of awareness of the role played by microorganisms in ecosystem function. There is moreover a great lack of knowledge about the number of species of microorganisms that exist, their distribution, stability in the environment and intricate interactive roles. Conservation and use of biological material for sustainable environmental management are major issues. Specialist microbiological input into the debate is required to ensure that provisions made for national programmes are appropriate and practicable at the microbiological level. The Articles of the Convention of special relevance to microbiologists are listed and discussed. The role of microbial culture collections within the framework of the Convention is considered. The difficulties and uncertainties of conservation and study of microorganisms in their habitat (in situ) increase the need forex situ conservation in microbial culture collections. The World Federation for Culture Collections plays a coordinating role with regard to expertise, information, training and the management and operation of microbial resource centres. It has the potential for providing a special interest Clearing House Mechanism for the support of the Convention.     

The Fungal Genetics Stock Center in the context of a world wide community of ex situ fungal germplasm repositories

Most fungal biology researchers depend on culture collections, or more aptly, ex situ fungal germplasm repositories, either for the materials upon which they work, or as a long-term home for their materials after their projects are finished. These collections are broadly distributed and typically supported by the local government. The large number of collections, notwithstanding, some collections have greater impact than others. This review will discuss the fungal germplasm repositories around the world with special attention paid to the Fungal Genetics Stock Center. To facilitate their activities collections have joined together in networks, both locally and internationally. Additional information on public policy and how it impacts collections will be presented and the impact of collections will be highlighted.     

我国海洋微生物菌种资源保藏与共享服务现状

海洋微生物多样性丰富。我国近年来在海洋微生物多样性调查、资源获取与开发利用等多方面取得重要进展。为促进资源的可持续高效利用,建立了专业的海洋微生物菌种保藏中心,目前库藏海洋微生物菌种2. 2万株。本文介绍了目前中国海洋微生物菌种保藏管理中心库藏资源概况与共享利用情况,以共享记录为基础,从已共享菌株的多样性、库藏资源共享利用以及共享用户等方面开展了统计分析。统计结果显示,共享菌株中超过80%为细菌,其次依次为丝状真菌、酵母、古菌及噬菌体。在菌株水平,已共享细菌覆盖了库藏细菌的28%;在种的水平,已共享细菌覆盖了库藏细菌的47%,包括变形菌纲3 178株,芽胞杆菌纲951株,放线菌纲817株。目前,库藏资源总共享比例约为30%,覆盖了库藏57%的属和49%的种。共享用户目前达266家,其中国内用户244家,国外用户22家。为大洋课题、国家973课题、863课题、自然基金、行业公益性项目、科技支撑及企业项目等各种科技计划,提供了重要的菌种资源保障。据不完全统计,共支撑发表SCI论文达500余篇。中国海洋微生物菌种保藏管理中心在菌株资源的收集、整理和共享等方面,为我国的科研事业提供了大量的资源支撑,取得了较好的社会效益。     

具有抗哈维氏弧菌活性共生真菌HLZ-3菌株的筛选、鉴定及其培养条件

【背景】目前,海水养殖业中主要利用抗生素来防治哈维氏弧菌等病原菌,但抗生素的长期使用或滥用会对环境和人体健康带来危害,因此既环保又有效的生物防治方法具有广阔的应用前景。【目的】从海水产品共生微生物中筛选具有抗菌活性的菌株,对活性菌株进行鉴定并确定其合成抗菌活性物质的培养条件。【方法】利用沙氏和2216E培养基,以稀释涂布平板法从海水养殖动物中分离真菌和细菌;利用牛津杯法测定微生物发酵液抗水产病原哈维氏弧菌的活性;通过菌株的培养特征、形态特征和ITS序列分析对抗菌活性菌株进行鉴定;通过筛选发酵培养基的种类及盐度确定培养条件。【结果】从海蚌、白虾、海蛎子等9种样品中分离出微生物52株,其中真菌30株、细菌22株;筛选得到2株具有抗哈维氏弧菌活性的真菌菌株;其中一株活性菌株HLZ-3被鉴定为塔宾曲霉;菌株HLZ-3合成抗菌活性物质的培养条件为4%NaCl的大米培养基,28°C静置培养2周。【结论】实验结果为进一步分离纯化菌株HLZ-3所产抗菌活性次生代谢产物提供了基础。     

Application of good laboratory practice (GLP) to culture collections of microbial and cell cultures

Although the principles and the necessity for good laboratory practice (GLP) guidelines to confirm the credibility, integrity, and quality of non-clinical laboratory studies have been known for more than a decade, culture collection activities are not subject to them. Because of recent advances in biotechnology, culture collections face increased demands not only for quality cultures but also current information. When applied in culture collections, GLP guidelines prove to be an excellent management tool as well as a cost-effective system of providing authentic and reliable microbial and cell cultures and associated data.     

Oplopanax elatus adventitious root production through fed-batch culture and their anti-bacterial effects

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Fed-batch culture (FBC) is extensively used in microbial culture to achieve a high yield of the desired products. However, the FBC application is less...     

微藻种质资源库——藻类科学研究和产业发展的重要平台

微藻是指一类形态微小, 能够进行光合作用, 以单细胞或简单多细胞形式存在的藻类。作为一类重要的生物资源, 活体微藻的保藏和共享服务是开展藻类科学研究和藻类产业发展的必要平台和基础。坐落于中国科学院水生生物研究所的淡水藻种库(FACHB-Collection)正式成立于1973年, 1996年作为创会成员加入中国科学院典型培养物保藏委员会; 2019年成为国家水生生物种质资源库的核心成员。该库保藏逾3400株微藻, 隶属于9门169属。年均为国内外用户提供2500株藻株, 并提供藻种鉴定、分离纯化和培养技术等方面的服务和咨询。文章回顾了国际微藻种质资源库的发展历史和现状, 介绍了国内微藻种质资源保藏情况, 着重介绍国家水生生物种质资源库——淡水藻种库在库藏藻株多样性、共享服务、藻株无菌化、超低温保藏技术及优良品种选育与应用等方面的进展, 瞄准提升我国在藻类学研究和藻类产业研发的竞争力, 提出了藻种资源库未来发展的建议。     

Culture collections — their services to biotechnology

The need to recruit qualified and experienced employees is a major concern of many organizations engaged in biotechnology. Universities and industry are scoured to find the right people, but where are we to find promising new candidates for the most numerous, and arguably most talented section of the biotechnological workforce — microorganisms and other types of cells? The international network of culture collections offers the best answer, and a proper understanding of their roles and capabilities can save biotechnologists an immense amount of time and money.Among the millions of microbial, plant and animal cells stored in the world's culture collections it is often possible to find one that exactly suits a biotechnologist's particular requirements or one that can be developed to perform a specific task. This article outlines the services offered by culture collections, generally using the UK collections as examples of the main activities throughout the world.     

新疆喀什下坂地墓地青铜时代人群颅骨的测量性状

下坂地墓地青铜时代居民是帕米尔高原区早期人群的代表。通过颅骨测量性状特征对该人群来源和流向问题的讨论,为建立欧亚大陆青铜时代人群的流动、变迁史提供了新的素材。与欧亚大陆青铜时代时空相关人群对比分析的结果表明,下坂地青铜组居民的祖先人群,可能是来自东欧南部草原地带的洞室墓文化居民。他们在安德罗诺沃文化的繁盛期,自东欧草原地带迁徙到帕米尔高原区,逐渐发展为安德罗诺沃文化的一个地方变体。     

Current situation and challenges of specialized microbial resource centres in Russia

Establishment of national biological resource centres (BRCs) is of special concern and requires harmonization of regulations on microorganisms’ handling, improvement of legal control pertaining to intellectual property right, access to genetic resources and fair benefit sharing arising from their biotechnology application. As exemplified by the Regional Specialized Collection of Alkanotrophic Microorganisms (acronym IEGM, World Federation for Culture Collections # 768, ) hosted at the Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, the role of specialized microbial collections is emphasized as the governing factors of innovative development of biotechnology and bioindustry. The publication aims at drawing attention to the regional BRC being formed in the Perm Krai which provides the appropriate information on the holdings and is responsible for screening, study and maintenance of valuable microbial gene pool to meet the needs of ecology, industry and biotechnology, and for developing novel methodological approaches to studying extremotolerant microorganisms. This centre also contributes to the development and application of advanced achievements in enzymatic transformation of carbon compounds, production of fodder using non-traditional raw material, oil- and gas-prospecting activities, monitoring and bioremediation of contaminated sites.     

从环境中分离培养微生物:培养基营养水平至关重要

根据目前的微生物学知识体系,利用现有的微生物培养技术仅仅能够分离和培养部分微生物,自然环境中绝大多数微生物暂不能培养。本文总结归纳了部分微生物培养技术和培养策略,包括采取生境隔离、延长培养时间以及模拟自然环境条件等方法,尤其是培养基的营养水平对可培养微生物数量及种类产生重要影响。简要总结了寡营养微生物及其生态意义,以及营养物浓度影响微生物生长的机理。提出可根据微生物的生态环境条件及细胞生理特性,设计合理的培养条件和培养方法,以及采用多种分离培养方法联合,以期最终提高环境微生物的可培养性。     

医学真菌菌株保藏方法概述

近年来,随着真菌感染的患者急剧增加,真菌病已经成为一个重要的公共卫生问题。对医学真菌流行病学、致病机理、耐药机理以及防治策略的研究尤为重要,而所有研究的基础都建立在对医学真菌的进行有效的保藏。医学真菌的保藏方法很多,包括传代法、蒸馏水法、冷冻干燥保藏法等,保藏方法的选择因实验室条件、菌种和研究要求不同而不同。本文对目前常用的几种医学真菌菌种保藏方法的优缺点及其应用等做了综述。     

Polar and Alpine Microbial Collection (PAMC): a culture collection dedicated to polar and alpine microorganisms

Microorganisms in polar areas may have important ecological roles in biogeochemical cycles and the food chain. They are adapted to polar environments by means of special physiological adaptation mechanisms that include cold-adapted enzymes and cryoprotectants such as exopolysaccharides. Culture collections for polar microorganisms can provide research resources for ecological and physiological studies. The Polar and Alpine Microbial Collection (PAMC) is a specialized culture collection for maintenance and distribution of polar and alpine microorganisms. A database system was developed to share important data fields with DarwinCore2 and Ocean Biogeographic Information System database schemas. Approximately 1,500 out of 5,500 strains maintained in PAMC have been identified and belonged primarily to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Many of the microbial strains can grow at low temperature and produce proteases, lipases, and/or exopolysaccharides. PAMC provides search tools based on keywords such as taxonomy, geographical origin, habitat, and physiological characteristics. Biological materials and information provided by PAMC will be important resources for ecological and physiological studies on polar and alpine microorganisms.     

The cultural nature of risk: Can there be an anthropology of uncertainty?

In risk research, culture has been used mainly as a 'black box' of unknowns into which 'irregularities' of risk perceptions that could not be otherwise accounted for can be referred. In social anthropology it has been taken for granted that what is to be considered a 'risk' depends entirely on cultural settings and assumptions; risks are culturally defined and selected. This article takes a critical stance towards any such simplistic ideas about risk and culture. Culture is approached from a perspective of cognitive theory and is hence understood as shared schemata that define categories, relationships and contexts, making it possible to process meanings and order information. It is argued that if we are to succeed in investigating risk contextually, without ending up in a relativistic muddle which merely acknowledges myriads of diverse risk perceptions, it is necessary to problematize the assumed simplistic cultural nature of risk.     

A mammalian cell culture collection for biotechnology

Conclusion Culture collections are key to the success of biotechnology companies. Protection of patent strains and manufacturing inoculum; standardization of biological materials for research, development and manufacturing; and documentation of organism transfers are essential functions provided by a culture collection in a biotechnology company. Certified, stable mammalian cell cultures will continue to be key in research advances and in manufacturing of biotechnology products in the future.