![Transparent spheres of blue, white and brown Ciliophora.](https://delivery-files.atcc.org/api/public/content/93977-MC-0112_1440x300_overlay.jpg)
Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that includes protozoa and algae. These microbes are of clinical relevance as many protozoan species are human pathogens, causing diseases such as malaria, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Additionally, protists are of ecological importance as they are an essential source of nutrition for many organisms.
The success of protistology research and comparative studies depends on the accessibility of authenticated biological standards. We’re meeting that need by providing researchers with the largest and most diverse repository of protist cultures in the world. The ATCC Protistology collection is the only general service collection of taxonomically diverse living stock protists in the United States and the only large service repository of parasitic protozoa in the world. The primary role of the collection is the acquisition, authentication, preservation, and distribution of reference strains.
Cultures are authenticated using morphological and molecular techniques. Characterization of deposited cultures includes a variety of tests such as viability, purity, phenotypic properties, and genotypic analysis.
Explore our diverse portfolio of protist strains and nucleic acids to help you excel in your research.