Research activities of the UKNCC members.

CABI
Refer to the CABI Bioscience web-site for details

NCYC

NCIMB
Culture collections have and will continue to be, centres of research in areas of taxonomy and preservation of the specialist groups of organisms within their remit and/or expertise.

With the advent of new molecular biological technologies and the need for applied research to address current topical industrial and environmental problems; culture collections or the organisations or Institutions with which they are closely affiliated, are now exploring new areas of research and development as an interface with industry and academia.

NCIMB Ltd has significant track record in such research.

Research profile areas of past experience (PAST), current research (CURRENT) or new topic areas where we may wish to seek collaborative partners (COLLAB).

• Taxonomy methylotrophs, coryneforms (PAST)
• Bacterial preservation (PAST & CURRENT)
• New/novel bacterial delivery and transportation systems (CURRENT & COLLAB)
• Biocontrol (CURRENT)
• Xenobiotic degradation (CURRENT)
• Biodeterioration (COLLAB)
• Molecular diagnostic kits (CURRENT)
• DNA fingerprinting for microbial ID (CURRENT)
• DNA chip technology (COLLAB)
  

CCAP
CCAP (Windermere) has 4 major strands of research:

1. Cryopreservation research including: investigation of fundamental mechanisms of freeze-induced injury and freeze recalcitrance; protocol development and optimisation.
2. Molecular biology research including: systematics of protists (both algal and protozoan); molecular biotyping of cyanobacteria.
3. Ecological research related to the holdings of the Collection and the remit of the Institute of Freshwater Ecology.
4. Contract research undertaken for customers. Projects undertaken include:
   • The use of protozoa for the biological control of filamentous cyanobacteria.
   • A comparative study of the effectiveness of UV systems for controlling algal blooms in ornamental ponds.
   • The potential use of ciliates in a bioassay for toxic cyanobacteria Harmonised monitoring data for England and Wales - A statistical appraisal
   • Algal growth and the influence of light quality
   • The mechanism of action of cationic surfactants on microalgae
   • The assessment of cell damage and recovery in cryopreserved freshwater protists