Preservation

The main conservation methods of dairy microorganisms are freezing [cryopreservation] (at very low temperatures, in vapour or liquid nitrogen) and freeze-drying. Currently the strains are divided in two parts, the first, called primary lot (source), represents the long-term resource bank. The second, called secondary lot, constitutes the active resource bank. A procedure for standardization of the preservation methods is in progress within the network (project funded by the BRG).

Regeneration

To make regeneration, the strains are cultivated in liquid or solid medium (nutritive agar), sometimes in two phase medium. In the case of bacteriophage, we obtain the multiplication of virus by infecting a susceptible bacterial strain and cultivating such a strain.

Distribution

The so called "open" collections, can deliver strains to all requesters.
The so called "semi-open" collections can deliver strains only to some categories of requesters (i.e. French dairy enterprises). According to the type of microorganisms, strains are delivered on a carrier in adequacy with the method of preservation, procedure of expedition, or request for specific uses.

Evaluation of the biodiversity and typing

Numerous methods exist today to describe and type (identify?) the microbial strains. The standardization of these methods is the main priority within the network with the aim of the National Collection to set up.

Today 20 collections are partners of the network. New stakeholders are welcome.

Collections of public institutions

CLIB INRA Grignon
INRA-LRF Aurillac
INRA-GMPA Grignon
INRA-URGLA Jouy (coll CNRZ)
INRA-SRTAL Poligny
INRA-LRDE Corte
INRA-Rennes-LRTL
Université de Caen Basse-Normandie LMA
Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg GEM

Collections of technical centres

ADRIA Quimper
ADRIA Normandie Villers Bocage
ARILAIT Recherches Paris
Actilait La Roche sur Foron
Aérial, Illkirsch
LIP SAS, Aurillac

Collections of private enterprises

BEL Vendôme
ENTREMONT
DANONE RESEARCH - Daniel Carasso center
LACTALIS
SOREDAB-BONGRAIN

The animator

Emmanuel JAMET - Institut Technique Français des Fromages (ITFF), La Roche sur Foron, e.jamet@it2f.com

The coordination unit (= the Plenary Committee)

She is made up by all curators of collections that are partners of the RESOMIL network.

The steering Committee (= the Network Council)

3 representatives of the coordination unit
the director of the BRG or its representative
3 representatives of the inter-professional dairy organisations
1 representative of the Agriculture Ministry
1 representative of the Research Ministry
the animator of the network

The topic working groups

The creation of these groups is under the proposal of the steering Committee. They can to call in experts, out of the network. Today five working groups exist: computerizing of collections, microorganisms and right, safety (formerly taxonomy, in the future methodology for identification), preservation, National Collection and Biological Resource Centres.