The Preservation of the Gene Pool in Industrial Organisms: Culture Collections

The central importance of a microorganism in an industrial microbiological establishment may sometimes be taken for granted. While a raw material may be fairly easily substituted, the use of an organism different from one already in existence may involve extensive experimentation and modification of established processes if the usual products are to be obtained. It is therefore important that organisms whose genetic potentials remain unchanged be constantly available. In other words, the gene pool of organisms with desirable properties must be preserved and be constantly available.