Risk Management of Microbial Genetic Resources in the BCRC/FIRDI of Taiwan

Series/Report No.
農業試驗所特刊; 135
Part Of
Start Page
101
End Page
113
ISBN
978-986-01-6785-6
Date Issued
2008-12
Date
2008-12
Author(s)
Chii-Cherng Liao
URI
Abstract
Microorganisms, their cells and replicable parts (e.g. genomes, plasmids, viruses, and complementary DNAs) are the tools for biotechnology and underpin the life sciences. They provide a major source of genetic information to solve problems in agriculture, industry, plant and animal sciences, and human health. The total number of microorganisms is unknown, and they are difficult to study in situ. Microorganisms that are isolated from natural and manmade environments are typically conserved in microbial resource centers (MRCs). It has been over two decades since 1982, when the Bioresource Collection and Research Center of the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (BCRC/FIRDI) initiated the work of microbial resource collection and preservation in Taiwan. In 2001, the quality management system of BCRC/FIRDI was audited and determined to be compliant with ISO 9001:2000 requirements. Being a multifunctional MRC, the BCRC/FIRDI implements access and benefit sharing (ABS) by establishing a biological material transfer mechanism and being involved in benefit-added biological material development. The BCRC holds three domains of bioresources: microbial resources, cellular resources, and genetic resources. In order to ensure the availability, integrity, and traceability of all records concerning these bioresources, we developed a workflow management system. The first step in risk management processes is to identify vulnerabilities and threats and then to assess the possible damage to determine where proper countermeasures should be implemented. All challenges require efforts not only from individual MRCs, but also from cooperation among MRCs, particularly internationally. In the future, the BCRC will continue to provide high-quality cultures, and genetic information facilities and techniques. The BCRC aims to support and promote partners engaged in general and applied research to enable them to accelerate their research and contribute to the development of the bio-industry in Taiwan.
Event(s)
Proceedings of the APEC-ATCWG Workshop
Publisher
農業試驗所
Type
book part
File(s)
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

publication_no135_11.pdf

Size

246.09 KB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum

(MD5):7f5e521cf4a54aecc4037b66233a1fd9