About us

What is the Gifu University Center for Conservation of Microbial Genetic Resource (GCMR)?

As a microbial strain preservation center affiliated with Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, our mission is to collect, maintain, and promote the use of microbial genetic resources in response to global needs. We provide genetic information, including pathogenesis, drug resistance, and useful resources for each microbial strain in our collection, alongside a dedicated bacterial database. In collaboration with partner institutions, our goal is to make microbial genetic resources widely accessible.

Message from the Director

The Gifu University Center for Conservation of Microbial Genetic Resource (GCMR) is a facility dedicated to maintaining a wide range of pathogenic bacteria, including opportunistic pathogens. The center aims to contribute to research developments in life sciences, mainly medical sciences, and the effective use of genetic resources.

The microbial strains held by our center mainly consist of bacteria isolated, collected, or received through academic donation by three famous bacteriologists—the late Professor Shoichiro Suzuki, the late Professor Eiko Yabuuchi, and Professor Takayuki Ezaki—who were professors of the Microbiology Department, School of Medicine (later renamed to the Department of Pathogen Control). During Professor Ezaki’s tenure, the preservation and distribution of these collections were chosen as one of the National BioResource Project (NBRP) in Japan. This is an initiative to maintain and utilize valuable genetic resources, including the preservation of pathogens and genetic resources from the medical school. With the retirement of Professor Ezaki, maintaining bacterial collections in the medical school became difficult. However, recognizing the importance of the pathogenic microorganism collections, the GCMR was founded by Gifu University as a project center in the Institute for Advanced Study, thereby taking over stock preservation and distribution operations.

We are committed to maintaining the stable preservation of existing collections and promoting the introduction of new microbial strains, aiming to enhance their utility. We would greatly appreciate the use of our collections in research and development in life sciences, diagnostics, treatment, quality control, education, and other fields.