In phylogenetic terms, CCAP is the most diverse culture collection in the world, with over 3000 strains of marine and freshwater algae, protists and seaweeds from across the globe. Some of these cultures have been in cultivation for over a century while others have been added in the past few months - we frequently isolate new strains to add to the collection. The collection was started by Professor Ernst Georg Pringsheim - click here for our history.

The collection is made up of a wide range of taxa including cyanobacteria, eukaryotic phytoplankton, thalloid red algae, multicellular seaweeds, free-living non-pathogenic protozoa, and a small number of potentially pathogenic protozoa.

Strains are primarily maintained by serial sub-culture although about 30% of the algal strains and 2% of the protozoan strains are cryopreserved to maximise genetic stability.

CCAP also offers a wide range of services in addition to maintaining the collection and supplying cultures. We

• accept standard deposits of cultures of algae and free-living, non-pathogenic protozoa
• curate deposits of valuable strains for confidential safekeeping for the depositor
  
• as an International Depository Authority (IDA) CCAP also accepts patented strains of (a) freshwater and terrestrial algae and cyanobacteria; (b) non-pathogenic free-living protozoa; and (c) marine algae and cyanobacteria other than large seaweeds