Looduslike ja laboratoorsete mikroobitüvede kollektsioon CELMS

The Collection of Environmental and Laboratory Microbial Strains (CELMS) was established in 1995, and it is located in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu. A microbiological collection differs from other natural science collections, such as botanical, zoological, geological, and mycological collections, because it consists of living microscopic organisms that are invisible to the naked eye. Like other microbial culture collections, the primary function of CELMS is to collect, maintain, and distribute microbial strains, which have unique properties and practical values in teaching, research assays, biotechnology, etc. For example, CELMS stores microorganisms with various bioremediation capabilities isolated from different environmental conditions. Determining the complete nucleotide sequences of the strains’ biodegradative plasmids helps researchers study horizontal gene transfer processes in nature. To make the deposited strains more visible and attractive, several tests are being performed to identify potential characteristics useful for biotechnological applications. For example, several strains have been recently screened for the ability to catabolize biopolymers – cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, to find potential strains that could be used for the valorization of the wood industries’ waste or byproducts. The public catalog of CELMS is available on the Estonian Electronic Microbial dataBase (EEMB) website [footnote 4], where there are listed for each culture general (isolation location/source, important features necessary for strain identification etc.) and specific characteristics (ability to degrade or produce certain chemicals, resistance to drugs, presence of plasmids etc.), and, if available, links to nucleotide sequences deposited in Gen- Bank, as well as information concerning published scientific data. The deposited cultures can be ordered (free of charge) for academic research (non-commercial purposes) after signing a Material Transfer Agreement. The CELMS collection preserves well-characterized cultures that are of interest to researchers in the fields of environmental protection, biotechnological applications, waste recycling, etc.