The Netherlands Culture Collection of Bacteria (NCCB, formerly LMD and Phabagen)
History of the Collection:
The Netherlands Culture Collection of Bacteria is formed by the merger of the
collection of the Kluyver Institute for Biotechnology (LMD, formerly Laboratory
of Microbiology, Delft) and Phabagen, the collection of bacterial mutants,
plasmids and phages (Utrecht). The NCCB accepts and distributes strains and
offers identification services for scientific, industrial and educational
institutes both in the Netherlands and internationally.
The LMD bacterium collection
M.W. Beijerinck and A.J. Kluyver initiated the LMD collection. Under their
guidance and that of their successors T.O. Wikn and J.G. Kuenen the collection
developed from a small laboratory collection to a general bacterium collection,
containing over 4500 wild types. The strains are preserved lyophilized and under
liquid nitrogen. Acquisition occurred not only as a result of in-house research,
but also through identifications and exchange. LMD is now a public collection
with a well-established identification service.
Phabagen
Phabagen (Phages and bacterial genetics) started in the late sixties, with
mutants of E. coli, A. tumefaciens and phages, deposited by members of the
NWO-SON working community on molecular genetics. In response to the developments
in biotechnology the Phabagen collection acquired additional hosts suitable for
recombinant DNA research, genetically engineered plasmids, including many tool
and expression plasmids, broad-host-range plasmids, several gene libraries and
phages. Phabagen includes over 5000 bacterial mutant strains, over 450 cloning
vectors and more than 600 phages. Strains are preserved lyophilized and liquid
nitrogen.
The move
In November 1998 the NCCB came physically together when the LMD collection moved
to Utrecht. The LMD and Phabagen collections are currently in the process of
merging. This is made possible by the structural involvement by funding and
housing of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (RNAAS/KNAW),
the Utrecht University and an extensive
cooperation with the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS, Baarn). The new,
combined collection will be a separate unit in the organization structure of the
CBS.
Mission:
- Maintain a general collection of bacteria, bacteriophages and plasmids
- Perform taxonomic research
- Offer services for scientific, industrial and educational organizations
- Collaborate internationally
The NCCB will strive to continue and extend its services, on a non-profit
basis, for scientific, industrial and educational institutes both in the
Netherlands and internationally. NCCB offers an advanced and up-to-date
identification service, a depository service for public and confidential
deposits (i.e. patent strain and safe deposits). The collection offers
advisory and consultation services on isolation, maintenance and application of
micro-organisms and contract research. Identification services and an own line
of research will range from polyphasic taxonomy studies to the assessment of
microbial diversity by phenotypic and genotypic characterization and advanced
computer-assisted analysis including proprietary databases. The NCCB collection
is a biological resource center that offers many wild type and reference and
mutant strains of bacteria including many type strains. Moreover, the collection
comprises most standard host strains, phages and vectors used in molecular
biology.
Quality standard:
Quality management standards of CABRI are applied, ensuring:
- The authenticity and purity of biological materials
- Preservation techniques that meet current standards
- Two ways of preservation (freeze-dried and liquid nitrogen)
- The processing of cultures including their quality control
- The accuracy of data collected and supplied
- Punctuality and delivery standards