100 Years of ATCC

A century of scientific innovation, together

ATCC Celebrates its Centennial

ATCC has a long history of driving life science research forward. For more than 100 years, we have been supplying the global scientific community with authentic, high-quality biological resources and standards to support research that has the power to transform lives. Throughout 2025, our employees and thought leaders from around the world will be sharing how our trusted and credible resources have led to incredible results over the years.

Our Past - Our People Our Milestones Our Diverse Collections Our Future Additional Centennial Resources

ATCC: The Next 100 Years

President and CEO Dr. Ruth Cheng shares her perspective on the future of ATCC

Our Past – Our People

From its humble beginning in 1925 to today, ATCC has been committed to advancing scientific discovery.

Old, vintage image of a laboratory bench.

Humble Beginnings of ATCC

Dr. Raymond Cypess explains why ATCC was created by scientists for scientists.
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Protecting a Global Resource for Scientists

Dr. Raymond Cypess transforms ATCC into a sustainable resource for the future of scientific innovation. COMING SOON

Skilled Workforce

ATCC's employees are committed to scientific innovation and discovery. COMING SOON

Credible Leads to Incredible

ATCC's credible products have led to incredible discoveries. COMING SOON

The Legacy of Dr. Cypess

During his 31-year tenure, Dr. Cypess transformed this iconic company. COMING SOON

Our Milestones

We help to ensure the integrity and value of scientific research through innovation and partnerships.

Scientist in a laboratory looking at the ATCC Genome Portal on a computer screen.

Catalyzing the Bioeconomy

ATCC’s biological resources have fueled innovation and spurred the growth of industries, ensuring global health and safety.
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Scientist looking at a petri dish with bacteria under a light.

Nobel Prize Winner's Use of ATCC-Generated Materials

Dr. Charles Rice shares how ATCC's materials help to make scientific discoveries possible.
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ATCC Patent Depository

ATCC received its first deposit in support of a patent application in 1949.
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Preservation Methods

In 1938, ATCC invented a way to preserve cultures that still exist today. COMING SOON

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

ATCC provided the culture used to develop PCR. COMING SOON

Protecting U.S. Biosecurity

ATCC provides the resources needed for surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response for homeland biosecurity. COMING SOON

A Trusted U.S. Government Partner

ATCC partners with the U.S. Government to support the warfighter and ensure biosecurity. COMING SOON

ATCC's Collaboration with USP

Dr. Ron Piervincenzi explains how USP works with ATCC to ensure the quality and safety of medicines. COMING SOON

Our Diverse Collections

We have grown into a global biological resource center offering credible collections of biomaterials and reference data sets.

ATCC's Collaboration with HCMI Part 1

Dr. Jesse Boehm shares how ATCC provides patient-derived cancer models to identify and target novel therapies. COMING SOON

ATCC's Collaboration with HCMI Part 2

Dr. Naomi Walsh discusses how ATCC is revolutionizing cancer research with its next-gen cancer models.
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Responding to the Zika Crisis

Dr. Randall Kincaid highlights how ATCC supported the Zika epidemic. COMING SOON

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Dr. David Ho explains how ATCC was one of the first responders in the global effort to develop a vaccine. COMING SOON

Microphysiological Systems (MPS) in Toxicology

ATCC is transforming drug development and our understanding of human diseases through MPS. COMING SOON

Our Future

Our job is to make sound science possible by constantly evolving and innovating to meet the research needs of tomorrow.

Image of cancer cells on computer screen

3-D In Vitro Models and Organoids

Dr. Jan Lichtenberg applauds ATCC for its commitment to high-quality, reliable biological materials.
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Scientist looking at a cell image on a computer monitor

ATCC Genome Portal

ATCC plans to create a "digital twin" to every biomaterial in its diverse collection.
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Global Health and Biosecurity

James Crill explains the use of ATCC's high-quality, rigorous controls to assess biological threats.
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ATCC's Collaboration with CRISPR Gene-Editing Technology

Dr. Travis Maures describes how biomaterials and gene editing can accelerate drug discovery and development. COMING SOON

MicroQuant™

ATCC has developed a way to streamline microbial quality control testing. COMING SOON

Additional Centennial Resources

Two scientists wearing safety glasses looking at pipette and test tube and sitting in front of computer.

100 for 100 Blog Series

Our "Centennial Celebration of the ATCC Collection" blog series features stories, written by our employees, highlighting our collection items and showcasing the incredible breadth and depth of our catalog.

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ATCC historic 1954 era, Washington, DC, brick building facade with ATCC 2112.

The History of ATCC

For more than a century, ATCC's deep-rooted mission has been to improve global public health through advancements in science.

View our history