As well as sequencing genomes, we also wish to archive strains as part of this service.
However, in order to send live strains you must meet the following criteria:
- The genus taxonomy of the strain is known.
- The strains should be Hazard Groups 1 or 2 (Biosafety Levels 1 or 2) as defined in “The Approved List of biological agents” from UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc208.pdf), and not on the DEFRA list of plant pathogens
- The strains must be bacterial (we do not accept live viruses or eukaryotes) - for non-bacterial samples please send DNA free of viable organisms
- The strains must not be Genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs). GMMs are organisms whose genes have been artificially altered to modify their characteristics in some way or another. A more detailed definition of what constitutes a genetic modification that makes a microorganism genetically modified can be found in UK’s HSE “The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014" (https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l29.pdf) (see Guidance 2 in Page 12, and Schedule 2 in pages 59-60).
- The strains must not be listed on the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, SCHEDULE 5 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/24/schedule/5?view=plain)
PLEASE NOTE: If any of your samples do not comply with any of the above we can still accept them as DNA.