Leibniz-Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures
The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH* is one of the largest bioresource centres and the most diverse collection worldwide. The collection, based in Braunschweig, was founded in 1969 and houses more than 90,000 bioresources, including over 39,800 different bacteria and archaea as well as 9,800 fungal strains, 1,400 bacteriophages, 950 human and animal cell lines, 960 plant viruses plus antisera, and 22,500 different types of genomic bacterial DNA. The unique diversity and quality management of the bioresources, the digitalization approach as well as the comprehensive scientific services make the DSMZ an internationally renowned service provider for science, diagnostic laboratories, national reference centres and industrial partners.
Bioresource centres such as the DSMZ are of crucial importance for the future progress of science, public health and the bioeconomy. The Leibniz Institute DSMZ addresses the challenges of limited knowledge about microbial biodiversity and its functional impact, the demand for suitable model systems for basic research and the lack of innovative novel bioproducts. In addition, the DSMZ is the world's leading plant virus collection with a wide range of research projects. In the field of human cell lines, the DSMZ has the largest collection of leukaemia lymphoma cells. The DSMZ is continuously expanding its free accessible digital collection and the DSMZ Digital Diversity Platform has been under development since 2023. With its comprehensive collections of biomaterials and its unique expertise in cultivation, identification, taxonomy/phylogeny and conservation, the DSMZ also plays a key role in translating basic research into biodiversity applications. The DSMZ is both a research infrastructure used by science and industry for non-commercial purposes and a research facility in the field of microbial biodiversity research.
The provision, research and utilisation of biodiversity are the guiding principles of the DSMZ.
The DSMZ is a Registered Collection according to EU Regulation 511/2014 of the Nagoya Protocol and the only recognised international depository in Germany under the Budapest Treaty. The processes carried out at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ are certified according to various independent procedures, including DIN EN ISO 9001, and all activities are carried out in accordance with the OECD Best Practice Guidelines for Biological Resource Centres. The DSMZ strives for certification according to ISO 20387, General Requirements for Biobanks. The Plant Viruses Department is accredited as a producer of reference material in accordance with ISO 17034. Since 2022, the Leibniz Institute DSMZ has been the only scientific institute in Germany to be certified for GMP certification for identity testing of investigational phage preparations for human use in accordance with Section 64 (3f) of the German Medicinal Products Act.
* DSMZ is recognized as a non-profit scientific institution by the Hanover tax office.
