The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the global treaty that purposed; 1) conservation of biological diversity, 2) sustainable use of its components and 3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. According this convention, the country that is source origin holds sovereign rights of biological resources. So those wishing to use biological resources must now sign a pre-agreement with origin country and ensure fair and equitable distribution of benefits. To smooth access and help reduce potential risk of use of biological resources from foreign countries, the Biological Resource Centers (BRC), bearers of preservation, management, distribution for microorganisms, have an important role.
The department of Biotechnology, NITE, a member of ACM (Asian Consortium for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Microbial Resources), continues a two-pronged strategy, the educational projects and the BRCs cooperations to achive the intention of CBD (see drawing below).

Bilateral cooperation at Biotechnology Center, NITE

Educational Projects They purpose mainly technical support and human resource development for self-sustaining system to isolation, identification and preservation microorganisms in the country of providing resources. Partner countries; Indonesia (2003-) Myanmar (2004-2006) Vietnam (2004-) Mongol (2006-) Brunei (2008-)

BRCs Cooperations The objective of this projects are mainly enrichment both collections by each other. Partner countries; Thailand (2005-) China (2005-) MTA agreed with; Belau (2007-) South Korea (2008-)

BRCs Cooperation Project with BIOTEC, Thailand

An MOU was concluded in February 2005 between the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) of Thailand and NITE Biological Resource Center (NBRC). Additionally, we have two project agreements (PA1 and PA2) to exchange biological resources and analyze unidentified microbes which aimed to explore possibility of industrial use and develop of academic researches. In the PA1, BIOTEC and NBRC exchanged about 110 strains of fungi (mainly Cordyceps and related species; insect fungi). There are 1 to 6 subprojects in each taxonomic group and/or objective, and all results of studies and collection will be published.

BRCs Cooperation Projects with Thailand

Subproject 1 Acetic Acid Bacteria Acetic acid bacteria are utilized to produce acetic acid and/or cellulose. Their bacterial cellulose are important for food and industrial products. List of Thai acetic acid bacteria strains Publications Subproject 2 Xylariaceae Fungi They are expected to produce useful metabolites for medicine etc. In view of their economical features, we had collected Xylaria fungi from various range of environment. Link to the list including Japanese strains Show more detail Subproject 3 Yeasts in Nature Yeasts are widely-applied for fermentation foods (e.g. alcohol) and as the model organisms for genetic engineering. The list is under construction Show more detail Subproject 4 Lactic Acid Bacteria from Thai fermented foods UP!! Lactic acid bacteria are utilized for food fermentation such as yogurts, lactic acid beverages and so on and they contribute to human health. List of Thai lactic acid bacteria strains Show more detail Subproject 5 Aero-aquatic Filamentous Fungi The group is hoped as resources for new industrial useful substances, that adapted to freshwater environment and have unique shape and lifestyle. Show more detail Subproject 6 Yeasts for Biofuel Biofuel is come to the forefront for energy security and environment conservation. So it is focused the function of alcohol fermentation of yeasts. Show more detail

Subproject 1 Acetic Acid Bacteria

We found several new genera and species in Thai isolates.
The 131 acetic acid bacterial strains obtained from BIOTEC culture collection (BCC) in Thailand are available from the NBRC.

Publications

1. (1) P. Yukphan, W. Potacharoen, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Identification of strains assigned to the genus Gluconobacter Asai 1935 based on the sequence and the restriction analyses of the 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 50, 9-15 (2004). [PMID: 15057706]
2. (2)P. Yukphan, T. Malimas, M. Takahashi, W. Potacharoen, T. Busabun, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Re-identification of Gluconobacter strains based on restriction analyses of the 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 50, 189-195 (2004). [PMID: 15754244]
3. (3) P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Gluconobacter albidus (ex Kondo and Ameyama 1958) sp. nov., nom. rev., an acetic acid bacterium in the α-Proteobacteria. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 50, 235-242 (2004). [PMID: 15754250].
   The strains available: NBRC 3250^T (= BCC 14434^T), NBRC 3273 (= BCC 14452)
4. (4)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Heterogeneity of strains assigned to Gluconobacter frateurii Mason and Claus 1989 based on restriction analyses of the 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 70, 684-690 (2006). [PMID: 16556986]
5. (5)M. Takahashi, P. Yukphan, Y. Yamada, K. Suzuki, T. Sakane & Y. Nakagawa. Intrageneric structure of the genus Gluconobacter analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer sequences. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 52, 187-193 (2006). [PMID: 16960335]
6. (6)P. Yukphan, T. Malimas, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Identification of strains assigned to the genus Asaia Yamada et al. 2000 based on 16S rDNA restriction analysis. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 52, 241-247 (2006). [PMID: 17116973]
7. (7)P. Yukphan, T. Malimas, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Phylogenetic relationships between the genera Swaminathania and Asaia, with reference to the genera Kozakia and Neoasaia, based on 16S rDNA, 16S-23S rDNA ITS, and 23S rDNA. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 52, 289-294 (2006). [PMID: 17310072]
8. (8)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Gluconobacter kondonii sp. nov., an acetic acid bacterium in the α-Proteobacteria. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 53, 301-307 (2007). [PMID: 18057821].
   The strain available: NBRC 3266^T (= BCC 14441^T)
9. (9)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Asaia lannaensis sp. nov., an acetic acid bacterium in the α-Proteobacteria. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 72, 666-671 (2008). [PMID: 18323663].
   The strains available: BCC 15733^T (= NBRC 102526^T), BCC 15734 (= NBRC 102527)
10. (10)P. Yukphan, T. Malimas, Y. Muramatsu, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, K. Suzuki, W. Potacharoen & Y. Yamada. Tanticharoenia sakaeratensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new osmotelerant acetic acid bacterium in the α-Proteobacteria. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 72, 672-676 (2008). [PMID: 18323667].
    The strains available: BCC 15772^T (= NBRC 103193^T), BCC 15773 (= NBRC 103194), BCC 15774 (= NBRC 103195)
11. (11)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, Y. Muramatsu, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Gluconobacter sphaericus (Ameyama 1975) comb. nov., nom. rev., a brown pigment-producing acetic acid bacterium in the Alphaproteobacteria. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 54, 211-220 (2008). [PMID: 18802320].
    The strain available: NBRC 12467^T (= BCC 14448^T)
12. (12)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, Y. Muramatsu, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Gluconobacter roseus (ex Asai 1935) sp. nov., nom. rev., a pink-colored acetic acid bacterium in the Alphaproteobacteria. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 54, 119-125 (2008). [PMID: 18497486].
    The strain available: NBRC 3990^T (= BCC 14456^T)
13. (13)P. Yukphan, T. Malimas, Y. Muramatsu, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, K. Suzuki, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Ameyamaea chiangmaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a polar-flagellated and acetate-oxidizing acetic acid bacterium in the α-Proteobacteria. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 73, 2156-2162 (2009). [PMID: 19809199].
    The strains available: BCC 15744^T (= NBRC 103196^T), BCC 15745 (= NBRC 103197)
14. (14)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, Y. Muramatsu, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Gluconobacter japonicus sp. nov., an acetic acid bacterium in the Alphaproteobacteria. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59, 466-471 (2009). [PMID: 19244423].
    The strains available: NBRC 3271^T (= BCC 14458^T), NBRC 3260 (= BCC 14445), NBRC 3263 (= BCC 14442), NBRC 3269 (= BCC 14440), NBRC 3272 (= BCC 14453)
15. (15)T. Malimas, P. Yukphan, T. Lundaa, Y. Muramatsu, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, W. Potacharoen, S. Tanasupawat, Y. Nakagawa, K.-i. Suzuki, M. Tanticharoen & Y. Yamada. Gluconobacter kanchanaburiensis sp. nov., a brown pigment-producing acetic acid bacterium for Thai isolates in the Alphaproteobacteria. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. 55, 247-254 (2009). [PMID: 19590153]
    The strain available: Gluconobacter japonicus NBRC 103587^T (= BCC 15889T), NBRC 103588 (= BCC 15890)
16. (16)Y. Muramatsu, P. Yukphan, M. Takahashi, M. Kaneyasu, T. Malimas, W. Potacharoen, Y. Yamada, Y. Nakagawa, M. Tanticharoen & K.-i. Suzuki. 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis of acetic acid bacteria isolated from Thailand. Microbiol. Cult. Coll. 25, 13-20 (2009).

Subproject 2 Xylariaceae Fungi

Overview They are expected to produce useful metabolites for medicine etc. In view of their industrial features, we have collected Xylariaceous fungi from various range of environment. Both saprobic and endophytic Xylariaceous fungi were examined. Saprobes were collected directly from fruiting bodies and endophytes were isolated selectively from surface-sterilized fresh leaves. In comparison between saprobes and endophytes by molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that there were some of described species that is known to be saprobic inhabit fresh leaves as endophytes, and some of endophytic species did not coinside with known saprobic species. This result shows Xylariaceous fungi have wide range diversity, although they tended to be considered low diversity, and possibility to be targets for screening of new products. 85 strains are available for distribution from NBRC.

References (1) I. Okane, P. Srikitikulchai, K. Toyama, T. Læssøe, S. Sivichai, N. Hywel-Jones, A. Nakagiri, W. Potacharoen & K. Suzuki Study of endophytic Xylariaceae in Thailand: diversity and taxonomy inferred from rDNA sequence analyses with saprobes forming fruit bodies in the field. Mycoscience 49: 359-372 (2008)

Subproject 3 Yeasts in Nature

Overview Yeasts have been commonly isolated from fermentation foods. Recently, many new species are found from plants or insects. In this project, we collected original yeasts from rich natural environment in Thailand. Such new yeasts are hoped to be new seeds for research and development. 122 strains are available for distribution from NBRC.

Subproject 4 Lactic Acid Bacteria from Thai Fermented Foods

Overview Various fermented foods are eaten in Thailand. They give a unique taste and flavor to Thai foods. We isolated lactic acid bacteria from Thai fermented foods collected from local markets located in the northeastern, central, and southern parts of the northern Thailand (You can see the diversity of Thai fermented foods in photos). About 1200 strains have been transferred to Japan, and 442 strains are available for distribution from NBRC.

Strain List (Updated at Dec, 2012) References (1) Miyashita, M, Yukphan, P., Chaipitakchonlatarn, W., Malimas, T., Sugimoto, M., Yoshino, M., Potacharoen, W., Tanasupawat, S., Nakagawa, Y., Kirtikara, K., Tanticharoen, M. & Suzuki, K. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented foods in Thailand. Microbiol. Cult. Coll. 28, 1-9 (2012). (2) Miyashita, M., Nakagawa, Y. & Suzuki, K. Diversity of lactic acid bacteria in fermented foods in Thailand. (in Japanese) Jpn. J. Lactic Acid Bact. 23, 77-85 (2012).

Subproject 5 Aero-aquatic Filamentous Fungi

Overview The fungal group adapting to freshwater environment and having specific shape and lifestyle are being expected as bio-resources for new useful industrial substrates. The diversity of aero-aquatic fungi was compared in different season at two sites, Khao Yai National Park and Doi Inthanon National Park. Phylogenetic analysis shows aero-aquatic fungi are high-diversity group. Because they are belonging to various phylogenetic positions in Ascomycetes, even the sexual stages of most species are not known. About 280 strains have been transferred to Japan, and some selected strains of them will be available after taxonomical confirmation.

Subproject 6 Yeasts for Biofuel

Overview We focused and collected new yeasts having useful ability that high alcohol fermentation, salinity tolerance, high-temperature tolerance, pentose production, oil synthesis. From now 459 strains are imported and tested their properties.

Future plan

We will publicize the strain libraries of lactic acid bacteria, aero-aquatic fungi and yeasts for biofuel production. We would like to make them available for users as soon as possible.