Pt-mBRCN/MIRRI-PT: Aims and benefits for the portuguese culture collections

Abstract

Microbial Culture Collections (CCs) are biobanks that preserve and provide microorganisms to the user communities. In the Portuguese landscape, CCs differ considerably regarding size, taxonomic target group, level of organization and implemented quality management systems. Since 2017, the CCs have been working together in the Portuguese microbiological Resource Centre Network (Pt-mBRCN), which was recognised as the Portuguese MIRRI node of the ESFRI Landmark MIRRI in June 2020, to promote a common voice, share experience and foster cooperation. As part of its operation, Pt-mBRCN/MIRRI- PT aims to guarantee the quality of its microbial holdings and associated data, and to implement common procedures and quality management systems to mitigate the current resource/data fragmentation microbial resources. To accomplish these objectives, a strong investment in dedicated human resources and cutting edges technologies is required, which can be partly achieved through competitive funding, such as MIRRI-PT-Polo Norte project. An example of activities within Pt-mBRCN is the collaboration between Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM) and Azorean Regional Veterinary Laboratory Micoteca (LRV-Micoteca). This is providing conditions to accelerate LRV-Micoteca strains requalification process and catalogue improvement, allowing a faster development and establishment of this emerging CC, paving the future to implement ISO 17025 accreditation system.