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University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection


Introduction

The Algae Research Laboratory (ARL), University of Malaya is the foremost Algal Research Centre in the Malaysia, with an excellent track record in research and training. The Algae Research Laboratory was establish by Professor Dr Phang Siew Moi at the University of Malaya as national initiative in phycological research. As an effort to understand the biodiversity of Malaysian microalgae, the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC) was initiated in 1987 with freshwater species and species from polluted environments. The University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC) is the only culture collection of microalgae in Malaysia, serve as a national collection of microalgae and supplies selected cultures to researchers and the industry. The ARL is the first laboratory in Malaysia and the region, which provides accreditated (MS ISO/IEC 17025/2005) Taxonomic Identification of Microalgae (SAMM837). The University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC) is recognized as a member of the Asia-Oceania Algae Culture Collection (AOAC) Network. It consists of unialgal cultures, of which many are axenic. The early isolates were mainly of freshwater Chlorella and Scenedesmus strain strains from various ponds and lakes used in the treatment of wastewater from rubber possessing. As the research interests of the Algae Research Laboratory (ARL) expanded, marine microalgae, marine diatoms, cyanobacteria and thraustochytrids were added into the collection. Many of the culture are indigenous strains, which they were isolated from the diverse habitats of Malaysia, ranging from freshwater lakes, wastewater pond, river, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and coastal waters to extreme environment likes hot spring. There are also several strains of aerial microalgae isolated from wall scrapings (eg. Chlorococcum). In 1999, the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC): Catalogue of Strains was published in an effort to provide a comprehensive listing of the cultures together with other useful information on techniques on isolation, purification and culture maintenance due to high demand from other researchers and students. In 2001, the first Malaysian collection of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Microalgae has been also established at the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). To date the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC) houses more than 250 isolates of tropical microalgae and more 30 isolates of Antarctic, Sub-Antarctic and Artic microalgae. In addition, there are also some culture from other culture collections such as Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, United Kingdom (CCAP), Culture Collection of Microalgae, CSIRO Marine Laboratories, Hobart, Australia were deposited in the UMACC and all outside sources are acknowledged in the list of culture. Many of the UMACC cultures have been used in the various studies conducted at the Algae Research Laboratory (ARL), University of Malaya.


Services

  • Deposit
  • Distribution
  • Testing
  • Other: Taxonomic Identification of Microalgae (accreditated (MS ISO/IEC 17025/2005; SAMM837)

Type of microorganisms or biomaterials in collection

  • Algae
  • Thraustochytrids

Contact

    Address

  • Collection name: University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection
  • Collection name: UMACC
  • Institute: Algae Research Laboratory (ARL), University of Malaya
  • Address: B207, Level 2, Block B, Institute of Advances Studies Building, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Tel: + 603 79674610
  • Email: phang@um.edu.my

    • Head of collection
  • Name: Professor Dr Phang Siew Moi
  • Position: Director, Algae Research Laboratory
  • Email: phang@um.edu.my