IMIS

The host laboratory has one of the largest research collections of documented (sub)polar cyanobacteria worldwide, with more than 100 strains characterized by phenotypic (morphology based on microscopic observations) and genotypic (16S rRNA and ITS sequences) analyses. The morphological identification shows that the strains belong to the orders Synechococcales, Oscillatoriales, Pleurocapsales, Chroococcidiopsidales and Nostocales. The strains are unicyanobacterial, but not axenic. They are available as living cultures, and the majority is also cryo-preserved (-70°C). BCCM/ULC is progressively incorporating the most interesting strains from the research collection of the host Unit into the public collection. In addition, ongoing research and public deposits from other (more temperate) geographical areas enrich progressively the variety of proposed strains. The public collection now includes the type strain of the recently described species Plectolyngbya hodgsonii (Taton et al., 2011, Polar Biology, 34: 181-191).

Study Extent: The BCCM/ULC cyanobacteria culture collection accepts the deposits (public and safe) of all kinds of cyanobacteria, if they correspond to its cultivation capacities and are not duplicates of already existing strains.

Quality Control: The services of deposits and public distribution are certified by an ISO9001 certificate, since 2012.

Method step description: Upon deposit, the depositors must fill the Accession form that includes the information on the origin and characteristics of the sampling site and of the srain isolated from the sampling site (http://bccm.belspo.be/docs/deposit-forms). These elements are used for the metadata.