Establishment of the ITEM culture collection backup and development of the related disaster recovery plan

The development of microbial and microbiome-based solutions is decisive in delivering progress and sustainable innovations in agro-food systems. In this contest, Culture Collections (CCs) have a key role in ensuring scientific progress, promoting bioeconomy. The ITEM Microbial Culture Collection of ISPA (Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR, Bari) includes more than 13,000 strains belonging to various agri-food microorganisms (filamentous fungi, yeasts, and bacteria). In the framework of the European-funded SUS-MIRRI.IT project, which aims to improve the management and sustainability of Italian microbial collections, ITEM collection is implementing a disaster recovery plan to prevent accidental loss that includes an additional storage as “safe backup” in Foggia, about 130 kilometers from the primary territorial unit (ISPA-CNR, Bari). This safe storage facility includes a dedicated room with new devices for cryopreservation at -150°C and -80°C. As part of the project activities, a new molecular biology laboratory has been set up, including a capillary sequencer of nucleic acids, a spectrophotometer for nucleic acid and protein measurements, and an imaging system for molecular biology. A laboratory for preparatory procedures completes this infrastructural effort. All these facilities are also functional to restore the correct operation of ITEM collection in the occurrence of an emergency or unexpected negative event in the headquarters. Strategies are being implemented for the preservation of digital information (microbiological passport data). Tailored training activities are ongoing to ensure the appropriate recovery, transfer and cryopreservation of the microorganisms in the safe storage facility. Furthermore, we highlight how the different research lines active in the secondary territorial unit of Foggia will represent the driver of innovation to increment and exploit the micro-biodiversity preserved in the ITEM culture collection.