Ordering Cultures from CCAC

Ordering. Strains can be ordered using the online order form. Strains can also be ordered offline by sending a letter or fax to Dr. Barbara Melkonian.

Material Transfer Agreement. A signed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) has to be sent to CCAC before cultures can be shipped.

Prices for CCAC-cultures. Non-profit users are charged 50.00 Euro per culture, for commercial users the cost for each culture is 150.00 Euro.

Prices for former ASW-cultures (non-axenic). Non-profit users are charged 40.00 Euro per culture, for commercial users the cost for each culture is 120.00 Euro.

Costs for delivery are added to the invoice charges. For delicate specimens courier shipment is recommended to ensure fast and safe delivery. Postal service may be used for the more robust cultures.

Payment. Prepayment is required. You can pay in Euro or US dollars a) by cheque or b) by bank transfer directly to the account held by the University of Cologne at the Sparkasse KoelnBonn. Please, note that credit card payments cannot be accepted.

Preparation of Cultures for Shipment. Fresh inocula are grown in preparation for shipment. In general, delivery will be within 2-3 weeks. Customers will be contacted by e-mail before a culture is sent off. Strains are shipped as liquid cultures or on agar if appropriate. Sterility of cultures is checked before dispatch a) microscopically and b) by inoculation of culture material into a standard test medium used in three different dilutions with regard to organic substances. Presence of bacteria is estimated by phase contrast microscopy and by turbidity of the culture medium .

Replacement Policy. Since some cultures are very sensitive to environmental conditions they may not survive transport, even if the fastest service available is chosen. CCAC takes all necessary precautions, however cannot guarantee the viability of cultures upon arrival. If a culture sent by courier arrives in a non-viable state, the customer may request a replacement. At the discretion of the curator, a replacement culture may be shipped. The customer will be charged only for shipping.

Individuals or organizations purchasing cultures from CCAC agree not to sell or pass them on to third parties. Strains remain property of CCAC. Recipients of CCAC strains agree to use the cultures for teaching or research only.