Microbiological material exchanges among scientists

Traditionally, biologists exchange scientific materials with other scientists to enable the independent confirmation of their research. For example, in microbiology, cultures of bacteria and other microorganisms and viruses are commonly sent to other laboratories upon request. Apart from this, it is a requirement of the International Code of Nomenclature for Prokaryotes, that culture type strains of a novel bacterial species be deposited in ‘at least two different publically accessible service collections in different countries from which the subcultures must be available’ to ensure their availability to all other scientists who may wish to study them. However, special challenges have recently been encountered in transporting such strains in order to meet such needs. This paper discusses the use of material exchanges and the challenges in this field.