Celebrate microorganisms and support the scientific community
This September, ATCC invites you to join us in honoring the invisible champions of our world—microorganisms! From September 1–30, 2025, we’re celebrating International Microorganism Day by encouraging scientists to contribute to our expansive collection of unique microbial strains. By depositing your microbial strains with ATCC, you’re not just preserving biological diversity—you’re empowering global research, innovation, and discovery. In many cases, depositing microbial strains—especially type strains that serve as reference strains for specific species—can meet regulatory requirements for publications or approvals, as ATCC provides the necessary documentation and verification.
Deposit your strain Why deposit with ATCC? What we're looking for
Special thank you gifts
To show our appreciation, everyone who submits a deposit during the event will receive a limited-edition International Microorganism Day magnet. If your strain is accepted into our collection, you’ll also receive an adorable stuffed microbe—a cuddly tribute to your scientific impact! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the microbial world and make your mark in microbiology.
Why deposit with ATCC?
We offer extended storage of microbial specimens in tightly regulated environments, safeguarding their integrity and availability over time. These preserved samples are accessible to researchers worldwide, encouraging scientific advancement, shared discoveries, and the ability to replicate experiments.
- Expertise: Benefit from our extensive experience in biomaterial management.
- Security: Trust in our secure, temperature-controlled facilities and 24/7 monitoring.
- Global reach: Make your biomaterials available to the global research community.
- Compliance: Ensure your deposits meet international and national standards.
Deposit your microbe
What we're looking for
ATCC is actively seeking high-quality, well-characterized microbial strains that support critical areas of public health and biomedical research. While we welcome a broad range of deposits, we have a special interest in the following categories. These categories align with ATCC’s mission to support reproducible science and global health preparedness. By contributing to these focus areas, your deposit could become a vital resource for researchers worldwide.
- Zoonotic pathogens: These are microbes that can be transmitted between animals and humans, often emerging from wildlife or livestock. Zoonotic pathogens are responsible for a significant portion of new infectious diseases. Depositing these strains helps researchers understand cross-species transmission and develop strategies to prevent future outbreaks.
- Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) strains: AMR is a global health emergency. ATCC maintains a growing portfolio of AMR strains that are phenotypically and genotypically characterized, including those listed on the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogen List. Deposits in this category support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and surveillance tools to combat drug-resistant infections.
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens: STIs remain a major public health concern worldwide. We are particularly interested in strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, and others that can aid in the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and resistance monitoring.
- Respiratory viruses: From seasonal influenza to emerging coronaviruses, respiratory viruses pose ongoing threats to global health. Depositing these viruses—especially novel or variant strains—supports vaccine development, antiviral testing, and epidemiological studies.
