Czech Collection of Microorganism

The Czech Collection of Microorganisms (CCM) is a specialized research and service facility that maintains and provides cultures of microorganisms for for the needs of basic and applied research, industry, routine laboratories, biotechnology and education. In the educational field, CCM provides teaching in the subjects of Prokaryotic Taxonomy and Microscopic Fungi and supervises bachelor's and master's theses, including the mentoring of doctoral students. Research activities are focused on the taxonomy of Gram-positive rods and cocci (Firmicutes), Gram-negative rods (Proteobacteria), and aquatic hyphomycetes.

CCM maintains more than 4,200 bacterial strains (approximately 1,700 species) and 800 filamentous fungal strains (about 550 species). The specialized collection of aquatic hyphomycetes contains around 500 strains (60 genera with 130 species). In 2011, a collection of staphylococcal bacteriophages and their host strains was established as part of CCM. Many of the strains stored in CCM are unique, and the collection continuously replenishes its holdings, actively contributing to the conservation of microbial biodiversity ex situ. The collection also preserves so-called patent cultures, i.e., microorganisms that are part of a patent application, as it is the only collection in the Czech Republic with the status of an international depositary authority for patent procedures under the Budapest Treaty.

Since 2006, CCM has held the EN ISO 9001:2008 certificate. CCM is registered with the World Federation for Culture Collections (WFCC) under number 65 and is also a member of the European Culture Collections' Organisation (ECCO).

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