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The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, The Institute of Microbiology
The Catalogue of Microbial Cultures
In Russian & English. Papercover
Editors:
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The Catalogue of Microbial Cultures maintained at the Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus encompasses over 1,000 type, reference and industrial strains of non-pathogenic microorganisms promising for biotechnology. The catalogue incorporates entries of extremophilic strains degrading highly toxic organic pollutants. It may serve as a reference guide for microbiologists seeking valuable microbial cultures.
The catalogue encompasses in a single numerical row more than 1,000 microbial strains maintained at the Institute of Microbiology and affiliated to different taxonomic groups (bacteria, bacteriophags, filamentous fungi and yeasts). Collection stock was formed by cultures isolated from natural sources in Belarus, by the variant selected by the Institute researchers and by type strains transferred from other depositories. Characterization of maintained cultures reflects major research trends at local laboratories. For instance, investigations are focused on mycelial and yeasts possessing valuable commercial characteristics as a promising source of proteolytic, amylolytic, cellulolytic, pectolytic enzymes, fodder protein, carotenoids, lipids, other bioactive agents.
The bulk of bacteria] cultures is made up by the organisms isolated from soils in Belarus areas exposed to severe pollution. Most widely represented is the group of extremophilic bacteria degrading a broad spectrum of aromatic compounds (organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, paraxylol, ethylenglycol, phthalic acids and the derived esters, oil).
Basic guidelines for the activities of collection of non-pathogenic microorganisms are guaranteed stock maintenance, identification of new isolates, search and optimization of techniques to preserve viability and valuable protection of the cultures. The collection focuses its efforts on building up the National Fund of Microbial Diversity, accomplishes the procedure of patent depositing of microbial strains. Data bank embracing the cultures stored at the Institute of Microbiology, the Belarus State University, other research institutions was set up.
Survival of microorganisms is ensured by transfers into nutrient media, conservation under mineral oil and freeze-drying technique. The latter is carried out at laboratory unit Modulyo 4K, Edwards, GB. Deposited cultures, significant number of strains-biodegraders with similar properties and variants with vague taxonomic affiliation were omitted from the catalogue.
The edition of the catalogue and founding the collection of extremophiles was financially supported by EU INTAS association.
Mailing Address: 2 Academician V.F.Kuprevich Street, Minsk BY-220141, Republic of Belarus
Telephone/Fax: +375 (17) 264-47-66. E-mail: lobanok@mbio.bas-net.by
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