International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants, Research culture collection in Auckland, New Zealand
The International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants is a research facility in Auckland that preserves more than 22,000 living strains, including fungi, bacteria, and chromist species from sources worldwide. The cultures are organized in laboratory spaces where specimens are maintained under controlled conditions and cataloged for scientific access.
The collection was established in 1952, originating from Dr. Douglas W. Dye's personal assemblage of plant pathogenic bacteria. It grew through integration with the Plant Diseases Division and expanded into a major research archive.
The collection carries the Maori name Te Kohinga Moroiti o Aotearoa and preserves microorganisms that affect New Zealand's native plants, particularly those that attack the kauri tree. Visitors can observe how this facility documents knowledge about local plant diseases and their causes for future generations.
Researchers can request cultures through a comprehensive online database that includes images, DNA sequences, and related scientific publications. Access is provided digitally, allowing scientists worldwide to work with the specimens without needing to visit in person.
The microorganisms are stored permanently frozen in liquid nitrogen, ensuring their long-term preservation and availability for future scientific discoveries. This method keeps cultures viable for decades, allowing them to be used many years later.
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