National Collection of Yeast Cultures (NCYC)

DNA Fingerprinting: Authentication of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains
 
NCYC has developed a system for rapid identification of individual yeast strains, based on the amplification of repeat sequences within the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast cultures from manufacturing processes can be checked for purity, and performance by comparing with deposited samples and checking for genetic drift.

Strain Deposits
 
The Open collection

NCYC accepts organisms which are or will be cited in the scientific literature or which are used in national or international test procedures. No accession fee has to be paid and strains are available to the public.
 
Cultures for Patent Purposes

The NCYC is an International Depository Authority (IDA) under the Budapest Treaty, and as such can accept yeasts, other than known pathogens, for patent purposes.

Confidential Safe Deposit Service

NCYC maintains proprietary yeast strains on a confidential basis; such cultures are available exclusively on the instructions of the depositor. NCYC will use deposits on customer request to verify the authenticity of strains in use and comparison to production samples sent by the customer.

The NCYC conducts ISO 9001-accredited yeast research on a strictly confidential contract basis with companies and other organisations. Contracts may be for either a defined piece of short term work or for long term research collaboration. NCYC has a variety of research based skills associated with the identification and characterisation of yeasts and in screening a wide diversity of yeasts for cultures with particular attributes of value to industry or research. For more information on this service please click here.