Culture Collection
The National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria is part of the UK's Biological Resource Network. It is a fantastic collection that includes thousands of ACDP category 1 & 2 organisms.
The culture collection includes:
- Bacteria, plasmids and bacteriophage
- Marine & food strains
- Freshwater & soil strains, as well as strains from an amazing diversity of other sources.
It is continuously expanding as a result of new accessions from the international research community. We follow international conventions and work to ISO 9001:2015 standards to ensure our culture collection provides a high quality resource today, and for future generations of scientists.
Why order strains from NCIMB?
Quick dispatch: we dispatch most orders within one working day of receipt.
Diverse collection: The National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria includes much more than you might expect from its name! Download the A-Z of NCIMB to learn more.
Great communication and customer service: Feedback consistently tells us that our customers highly value the levels of customer service and communication we provide for both UK and international customers.
How our strains are supplied
Bacteria: Most bacterial cultures are supplied freeze-dried in sealed glass ampoules, but they can also be supplied as an active culture if required. Prices for each format are given here.
Bacteriophages and plasmids are supplied as thawed liquid suspensions in plastic vials.
Our customers
How to order, revive or deposit strains
Pricing, T&Cs; ordering
Read our material transfer agreement and order by email or use our catalogue.
Find a strain
Search the culture collection catalogue by NCIMB number, taxon, or for equivalents.
Genomic DNA
Genomic DNA is available from many of our authenticated reference strains.
How to deposit a strain
NCIMB welcomes new accessions, that meet our criteria, to the open collection.
Revival of Strains
Please follow our step-by-step guide when opening glass ampoules.
Find a media recipe
Our media recipe catalogue includes recipes for all the strains in our collection.
