Collection of microorganisms

The Microorganism Collection is the only repository in the Republic of Uzbekistan for non-pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, microscopic fungi, actinomycetes, and yeasts. It contains a number of rare cultures of both scientific and practical value. Currently, the Microorganism Collection at the Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan comprises over 2,800 strains. The preserved microorganisms fully represent the microbial diversity of Uzbekistan.

The collection has been developed over 40 years based on the Institute’s research on the comprehensive study and conservation of microbial diversity in Uzbekistan, the assessment of the current state of microbial resources, and the development of scientific and practical recommendations for the sustainable use of industrially important microbial cultures. The collection continues to be expanded with new species.
This collection is a national treasure and a socially significant resource. Many of the preserved cultures possess biotechnological potential, are in demand in the national economy, and are used both in biotechnological production and in scientific research.

The work on the conservation and maintenance of the collection is carried out by the Microorganism Collection Laboratory of the Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Main Objectives of the Microorganism Collection

1.    Formation of the Collection Fund – accumulation and sustainable development of resources of microorganisms that are non-pathogenic to humans and non-quarantine for animals, isolated from natural or industrial ecosystems and possessing industrial potential.

2.    Deposition of Microbial Cultures – placing microorganism cultures in guaranteed storage, as well as patent deposition of strains to protect intellectual property rights.

3.    Long-term Preservation – maintaining the viability and genetic stability of preserved microbial cultures through the use of optimal storage conditions.

4.    Creation of a Unified Database – development of a centralized database of the collection, catalogs of cultures stored in the Microorganism Collection of Uzbekistan, and a unified, easily accessible information network.

5.    Information Support for Government Agencies – collecting and providing information required by the governmental institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan to formulate state policies regarding the conservation of microbial genetic resources, their biodiversity, and environmental protection.

6.    Scientific Research and Application – conducting scientific research aimed at optimizing storage conditions for collection strains, studying them, and ensuring their effective use across various industries and agriculture. This includes utilizing strains available in the collection to meet the needs of biotechnological production and scientific-analytical research; conducting research and development for the creation of new microbial bioproducts; ensuring proper accounting and biosafety of industrial microorganism cultures to enhance the quality of experimental, fundamental, and applied research at the Institute of Microbiology, as well as in other scientific institutes and educational institutions, under agreements on scientific and technical cooperation with other organizations and service contracts with interested entities.