Safe Deposit of Microorganisms

The DSMZ offers a special service for the long-term preservation of microorganisms where the distribution of the strains is restricted at the discretion of the depositor. Microorganisms for safe deposit may be sent to and stored with the DSMZ, but they will remain the property of the depositor.

Deposit forms
For safe deposit, the culture must be accompanied by a completed deposit form. The form for deposit must be submitted as pdf to the DSMZ together with information regarding delivery at least 72 hours before dispatch. The signed original has to be sent to the DSMZ, either together with the organism or separately.

Download deposit form for safe deposit of microorganisms

Contact

Dr. Felizitas Bajerski,
E-Mail
Phone: + 49 (0)531/2616-254

Dr. Kathrin Felsch
E-Mail
Phone: + 49 (0)531/2616-171

Detailed Information

  • All information concerning the depositor and the nature of the organism are treated in strict confidence.

  • Microorganisms for safe deposit will not be included in the DSMZ catalogue or any publicly accessible list.
  • Access to safe deposits is only possible through written request from the depositor.
  • It is at the discretion of the depositor to terminate the deposit at any time and ask the DSMZ to destroy the stored cultures.

The DSMZ accepts for deposit only those bacteria and fungi which belong to risk group 1 or 2 according to the EU council directive 2000/54/EC on the Protection of Workers from Risks Related to Exposure to Biological Agents at Work and - in case of genetically modified organisms - can be classified as S1 or S2 organisms according to "Gesetz zur Regelung der Gentechnik" or class 1 or 2 according to EU Directive 2009/41/EC on the contained use of genetically modified microorganisms. Bacteria and fungi should, where possible, be deposited as actively growing cultures (two separate preparations in the form of test tubes, preferably not on petri dishes).

Please find more information on transport requirements here.

Please note that bacterial strains which are deposited for the purpose of describing a new species will not be accepted as safe deposits. Prospective type strains are to be deposited in the open collection of the DSMZ.

This kind of deposit does not comply with the requirements of a patent deposit. If it is projected to use this organism for patent procedures it is advisable to contact the DSMZ before the filing of the patent.

Further information