MIRRI-ERIC and USCCN enhance their cooperation to promote the valorization of microbial resources and innovation in biotechnology

The Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure - European Research Infrastructure Consortium (MIRRI-ERIC) and the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN) announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen, promote and enhance their cooperation to support research and innovation in biotechnology, life sciences and microbial resource utilisation.

MIRRI-ERIC is the pan-European distributed Research Infrastructure, formally recognised by the European Commission, dedicated to the preservation, systematic investigation, provision and valorisation of microbial resources and biodiversity. USCCN is a U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Research Coordination Network that supports and promotes the safe and responsible utilisation of microbial resources.

Under the newly signed MoU, MIRRI-ERIC and USCCN agree to establish and implement cooperation in three main areas: organise common events and align their communications on topics of common interest; share information on the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to preserve and maintain microbial culture collections; and grant each other access to their respective databases and registries. Foreseen activities include the joint publication of policy briefs, the organisation of networking events, the exchange of information and expertise on SOPs, and the development of catalogues under common standards and FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse of digital assets).

The Executive Director of MIRRI-ERIC, Luís Soares, said, "MIRRI-ERIC and USCCN are forefront players in the global landscape of microbial culture collections. For us, in the EU, it makes perfect sense to sign the MoU and join forces with our colleagues in the U.S., so we can work together on our common goals of fostering the valorisation of microbial resources and innovation in biotechnology and life sciences".

"This collaboration is an exciting opportunity for USCCN to foster alliances and collaborations with international collection communities, which is one of the main goals of our research coordination network", said Dusti Gallagher, USCCN Project Manager. "We look forward to working with MIRRI-ERIC to explore commonalities in our efforts to strengthen and grow the global microbial collections community."