Last week Aberdeen-based microbiology and chemical analysis company NCIMB welcomed members of the European Culture Collections’ Organisation (ECCO) to the city for their 35th annual meeting.
The event, which was a great success, brought together microbiologists, molecular biologists and biochemists from across Europe to learn about and discuss important developments in the microbiology sector.
NCIMB manages the UK’s National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria and the collection’s curator, Dr Samantha Law, organised this year’s event. She said: “Most people probably don’t know that the UK has a National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria, let alone that it is located in Aberdeen, but the city has been home to this important scientific resource for more than 50 years.
“Bacteria are already used in the production of many important, everyday products including yoghurts, cheese, probiotics, medicines and washing powders. However, I strongly believe that new technology allows us a better understanding of how beneficial microorganisms can be in solving current global issues, and culture collections like NCIMB play a crucial role in preserving and storing different strains of microorganisms and making them available for researchers and industry.”
ECCO was established in 1981 with the aim of promoting collaboration and exchange of ideas and information about all aspects of culture collection activity. The organisation comprises 61 culture collections from 22 European countries, which together represent a vital international resource for research and industry.
Dr Law continued: “When people talk about the importance of preserving biodiversity they are often referring to the loss of endangered animal and plant species, but it is equally important that we understand and preserve microbial biodiversity. From the production of cattle feed to the discovery of new medicines, bacteria make a much bigger and more positive contribution to our daily lives than many people realise.
“By conserving microbial resources, culture collections provide essential underpinning activity for the development of a sustainable, international, scientific infrastructure and ECCO plays an important role in ensuring that culture collections are not only serving the rapidly developing requirements of industry today, but that their genetic resources are preserved for generations of scientists to come”.
As a city, Aberdeen has a strong track record in microbiological excellence - not only is the National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria located here, but earlier this year three Aberdeen University microbiologists, Professor James Prosser, Professor Neil Gow and Dame Anne Glover, were admitted as Fellows of the Royal Academy, in recognition of the outstanding contribution they have made to science. With their election to the Society, they join some very eminent and well-known names including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.
Dr Law Concluded: “There is some great microbiology being carried out in Aberdeen, so I was delighted to welcome the ECCO members to our city”.
For more information contact Dr Samantha law S.Law@ncimb.com; 01224 711100