American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) is a nonprofit organization that preserves, authenticates and distributes reference cultures, cell lines and biological materials for scientific research. Founded in 1925, ATCC serves as a worldwide resource for microorganisms, cell cultures and genetic materials.
Explanation
ATCC operates as a biological resource center dedicated to the acquisition, preservation and distribution of diverse biological materials. It was established by scientists who saw the need for a central repository that could provide reliable cultures and cell lines to laboratories. Over time it has expanded to include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, and a wide range of animal and plant cell cultures. ATCC’s collections span six broad areas: bacteriology, cell culture, molecular biology, mycology, protistology and virology. To maintain these resources, the organization employs stringent authentication methods to verify identity and purity, and uses controlled storage conditions to preserve viability. ATCC also produces standards, reference materials and educational resources that support quality control and reproducibility in research. By supplying defined strains and cell lines with known characteristics, ATCC helps scientists compare results, replicate experiments and meet regulatory requirements. The organization also acts as a hub for information about the cultures it holds, providing detailed histories, growth conditions and genetic information. Its long-standing commitment to quality and transparency makes ATCC a respected partner for laboratories in academia, industry and public health.
Notable Collections and Services
ATCC holds more than three thousand cell lines and tens of thousands of microbial strains. Its catalog includes well-known bacterial reference strains, authenticated viral isolates and standardized cell lines for biomedical research. Services range from custom cell banking and preservation to distribution of control materials used in diagnostic assays. The organization also develops quality control reagents for microbiology laboratories and provides guidance on handling and storage.
ATCC remains a cornerstone of laboratory science, offering a dependable source of biological materials. By upholding high standards of quality and documentation, it supports credible and reproducible science.
Related Terms: culture collection, cell line, microorganism, quality control, biotechnology