NEKKEN Bio-Resource Center (NEKKEN BRC)

NEKKEN Bio-Resource Center (NEKKEN BRC) was established in 2015 to take charge of National BioResource Project (NBRP) mission in Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN). NBRP constructs the framework for systematic collection, preservation, and distribution of bio-resources with a focus on those that required strategic development by the National Government. To promote life sciences, it is important for researchers to share the various bio-resources necessary for pursuing researches and developments. NEKKEN has participated to NBRP services since 2002 when it was initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). We have been serving as Division of Protozoa in “Pathogenic Eukaryotic Microorganisms of a Core Facility Upgrading Program” under Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University.

Members

Project Representative
Fumika Miichi
Service Representative
Makoto Kazama
Advice Collaborator
Shinjiro Hamano
Advice Collaborator
Kiyoshi Kita

NEKKEN BRC supports the research and education on pathogenic protozoa by providing following services; (1) web-based database of pathogenic protozoa maintained in Japan, including NEKKEN BRC, with their owner and strain information, (2) acceptance of pathogenic protozoa and their genetically modified organisms for deposit, (3) preservation of protozoan strains, (4) distribution of a variety of protozoan strains, and (5)distribution of their microscopic specimens for education in academic organizations. To facilitate the collection, preservation, and provision of bio-resources, NEKKEN BRC also implements the development of related technologies. Approximately 900 strains of pathogenic protozoa are preserved in NEKKEN BRC, and approximately half of them are available to supply. Last year 36 strains were deposited in NEKKEN BRC, and 53 protozoan strains were provided to researchers. Genetically modified protozoan parasites such as Luc2 expressing strains of Trypanosoma cruzi and slide specimen of protozoa for education are available also. Pathogenic protozoan resources available from NEKKEN BRC are listed in the following website.