Edit Your Collection

October 16, 2023

16 Oct Edit Your Collection

Posted at 14:46h in by

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HTML BlockResponses to the following questions (1-28) will be components of the USCCN online searchable database available to all users.
1. Name of Collection Point of ContactTimothy James
2. Current PositionCurator
3. Collection phone number734-615-7753
4. Collection Address3600 Varsity Drive
Research Museums Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-2228
United States
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5. Collection emailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
6. Collection website (if applicable)umich.edu
7. Collection name and abbreviationCollection of Zoosporic Eufungi at University of Michigan
9. Number of staff that work with the collection (if applicable)2
10. Organizational structure of the Collection:
  • Academia
11. What type of organisms are included in the Collection?
  • Fungi
12. Do you have sequencing data?Yes
Please specify what kind of dataRibosomal RNA sequences, some genomes
15. Please choose one of the following categories that best describes your collection.Publicly available (qualified curator, collection management policies, microbial specimens, a database of collection information, an online strain catalog, and distributes strains to the scientific community)
16. What host associations, if any, does your microbial collection have?
  • Other Plants
  • Amphibians
  • Soil
  • Water
17. What institution/entity currently houses your collection? (For example, Kansas State University, ARS, private entity)University of Michigan
18. Is the institution able to guarantee its support to the Collection for the next three to five years?Yes
19. Does your collection have the ability to accept orphan collections at this time? If yes, please describe your capacity to do so.Yes
Capacity

We have started from two collections that were endangered. We are limited to a specific taxon, but we are able to take on new strains in this taxon.

20. Does your collection contain strains that are currently used or could be used for reference strains such as to identify human, animal or plant pathogens? If yes, please explainNo
22. What is/are the mechanism(s) of availability and distribution?
  • Fee per strain for distribution
23. What are the main subjects or fields of use relevant to your collection?
  • Developmental biology
  • Ecology
  • Industrial microbiology
  • Systematics and taxonomy
24. If applicable, what services does your Collection provide? Check all that apply
  • Storage service (safe deposit)
25. Does your Collection provide training opportunities on the following? Check all that apply
  • Does not provide training
26. If applicable, does your Collection provide consultation on the following? Check all that apply
  • Does not provide consultation
27. What institutions fund research that users perform using specimens from your collection? Check all that apply
  • Department of Energy (DOE)
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
28. Is the Collection willing, within reasonable limits and to the extent that the collection is public, to engage in the exchange of cultures with other collections within the framework of the USCCN?Yes
29. Is the Collection willing to engage, within the limits of its capacity to do so, in collaborative programs with other culture collections for the general betterment of the USCCN?Yes
30. Do you wish to be contacted by researchers and collaborators about your Collection?Yes
31. Would you be interested in collaborating on a project with samples combined from different repositories?Yes
HTML BlockResponses to the following questions (29-36) will NOT be components of the USCCN online database. Information provided will be for internal use only to enhance USCCN service to participants.
32. Is the future of your collection dependent on a single individual in the institution?No
33. Is there a contingency plan to be able to guarantee the existence of the collection for at least five years, such as at another institution? Please provide as much detail as possible.No
No Contingency Plan

The culture collection is all frozen so it can stay at the current institution if the curator left.

34. Is your collection currently or in potential danger of becoming an orphan collection? If yes, what means do you have to save the collection? Please provide as much detail as possible.No
35. Would you like assistance with the orphan collection?No
36. What are the greatest needs of your collection at this time? (For example: stable funding, personnel needs, quality control procedures, capacity & equipment, visibility, etc.)

I think it needs to grow. The visibility is fine, but could be improved. It's a niche collection so it's limited in its aspirations. We are trying to figure out how to best manage our database.

37. Would you like your collection to be listed in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) https://www.gbif.org/Yes (you will be emailed information by USCCN separately detailing how to register your collection in GBIF)
38. Does the Collection support the USCCN mission, which is "to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of humankind by providing opportunities for US culture collection workers to engage with each other and with the broader culture collection community."I agree to support the mission of the USCCN
39. How can USCCN best serve you?

I think we want to learn best practices and to link with people with missions.