Introduction

The role of the Institut Pasteur Collection (CIP) is to ensure the maintenance and the enrichment of its bacterial collection, the diffusion of information on the distributed strains, the development of research on identification, taxonomy and preservation of bacteria. The CIP belongs to the Center of Biological Resources of the Institut Pasteur.

Collection activity

Accession and preservation

More than 9000 strains are available on stock.

Every year, new bacterial strains are added to

the collection (about 300) coming either from researchers or from foreign collections. The CIP contains also plasmids, transposons, host strains and probes. Strains are preserved in two different places and by two different ways (freeze-drying or deep-frozen).

Characterization and identification

Phenotype characterization including conventional tests and commercial strips

Cell-whole protein electrophoresis and chimiotaxonomy

We are still working with information regarding protein profiles of more than 5000 strains, a databank is continuously set up.

Molecular characterization

All the new incorporated strains are identified by sequencing the gene coding for 16S rRNA. The sequences of 16S rRNA gene of more than 1300 strains have already been obtained.

Distribution

About 6,000 strains distributed in 2006 with a number of customers of about 3,000 (1/3 foreigners).

Quality System

Process regarding activities and tasks are written in an organized process system which suits to the CIP organization.

The CIP has renewed its certification in 2006 according to the referential ISO 9001 (2000). Biochemical and molecular methods have been accredited regarding ISO 17025 standard in 2006.

Research activity

Many new species of Microbacterium have been described and changes in nomenclature have occurred. Today, the genus Microbacterium is composed of 20 species. Fifteen strains of Microbacterium isolated from human infections, not yet identified at the species level, have been studied by using a phenotypic and molecular approach.