The Turin University Culture Collection (TUCC): a successful networking initiative of microbial resources

TUCC is the microbial collection of the University of Turin (Italy). It was established three years ago through the cooperation of four departments, following the need to share and manage in a proper way different research collections scattered in the city of Turin. TUCC manages different collections: the MiAGR collection at the Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences Dept. (DISAFA); the MiBAT collection at the Public Health and Pediatrics Dept. (DSSPP); the MiVET collection at the Veterinary Sciences Dept. (DSV); and the MUT (Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis) collection at the Life Sciences and Systems Biology Dept. (DBIOS). TUCC is setting up a database allowing to look over all the available microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi, microalgae) deposited in the different sections of the collections. TUCC provides important services for academia, industry and other institutions; it brings together microbial resources, equipment and staff present at the University, optimizing the management and ensuring accessibility to both resources and services that individual structures can provide. Finally, TUCC guarantees a correct administration of complex legal procedures in order to comply with national and international rules regarding access, distribution and exploitation of genetic resources.