American Type Culture Collection

American Type Culture Collection

The American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of biological materials and related services to the scientific community. Established in 1925, ATCC is headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, and is renowned for its extensive collection of microorganisms, cell lines, and other biological resources that are essential for research and development in the life sciences.

History

The ATCC was founded in 1925 by a group of scientists who recognized the need for a centralized repository of microbial cultures. Initially, the collection was housed at the McCormick Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Over the years, the collection expanded to include a wide variety of biological materials, including cell lines, viruses, and molecular genomic tools.

Collections

ATCC maintains a vast array of biological materials, including:

• Microorganisms: ATCC houses one of the world's largest collections of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, and protozoa. These cultures are used in research, quality control, and education.

• Cell Lines: The collection includes a diverse range of human and animal cell lines used in biomedical research, drug discovery, and biotechnology.

• Viruses: ATCC provides a comprehensive collection of viruses for research in virology, vaccine development, and diagnostics.

• Molecular Genomic Tools: This includes plasmids, genomic DNA, and other molecular tools that are crucial for genetic research and biotechnology.

Services

ATCC offers a variety of services to support scientific research, including:

• Custom Services: Tailored solutions for the development, production, and characterization of biological materials.

• Quality Control Testing: Services to ensure the authenticity and purity of biological materials.

• Training and Education: Workshops and courses designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of researchers in the handling and application of biological materials.

Importance in Research

ATCC plays a critical role in the advancement of scientific research by providing reliable and authenticated biological materials. Researchers across the globe rely on ATCC's resources for:

• Basic Research: Understanding fundamental biological processes.
• Drug Discovery: Screening and testing potential therapeutic compounds.
• Biotechnology: Developing new technologies and products.
• Public Health: Studying pathogens and developing vaccines.

Also see

• Microbiology
• Cell culture
• Biotechnology
• Virology
• Genomics