Presentation

For the first time, a Moroccan focal point is created where microbiological material is preserved and related information and data are compiled. It is responsible for the distribution to interested academic and industrial workers. The Moroccan Coordinated Collections of Micro-organisms (CCMM) is a national infrastructure dedicated for science and research. The CCMM are hosted by the “Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique ” (CNRST). The setting up of the CCMM in Morocco is taking place in collaboration with the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM) consortium which is financed and coordinated by Belgian Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs. The CCMM takes into account the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, Rio de Janeiro, June 5th 1992). The CBD aims to provide for « the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources » (CBD article 1). The main goal of the CCMM is to create a national tool for promoting scientific interest and investigations in microbial biodiversity within the Moroccan Academic and Bio-industry Communities. The present research activities of the CCMM are financed mainly by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the National Centre for Scientific Research and Technical  Research (CNRST) and International Cooperation. The CCMM collections compile approximately 3000 microorganisms including bacteria, yeasts, fungi and algae. For its online catalogue, the CCMM publish 1582 well characterized and documented strains (bacteria, yeasts and fungi) of Moroccan origin.