Why to Deposit a Strain?
Deposition of the indigenous Production Strains or strains with ‘freedom-to-operate’ will promote the larger objective of making India self-reliant in domestic high-performance biomanufacturing of Bio-based products. There will be a financial benefit to the depositor upon the commercialization of the strains or their derivatives (for more details please read the Licensing Agreement ).
Who can Deposit a Strain?
Any Indian entity can deposit a production strain in this repository, provided they fulfill the criteria and the guidelines mentioned below:
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Eligibility: Deposits are welcome from researchers, institutions, or companies that have developed production-worthy strains with proven or potential industrial applications. Depositors must have the rights or authority to share the strain (please ensure no third-party agreements prohibit deposition). Biosafety Categorization: All strains must be classified under the appropriate biosafety level. Only BSL-1/BSL-2 strains are accepted (no BSL-3/4 at this time). Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should have clearance from your Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) and comply with DBT’s biosafety regulations. You will need to provide documentation of the biosafety level and any regulatory approvals or notifications (as applicable) upon submission.
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Metadata & Documentation: A complete data package should accompany the strain. This includes strain lineage and history, genotype and phenotype details, growth and maintenance conditions, and performance data. Supporting documents such as published papers, tool kits, patents, sequence files, or lab SOPs add significant value and should be included if available. Clear labeling of any plasmids or genetic parts in the strain is required. The Strain Submission Form will guide you through all necessary metadata fields to ensure consistency.
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IP and Compliance: Depositors retain ownership of their strains; the repository’s licensing framework ensures that your intellectual property rights are protected. All deposits must comply with Indian regulations, including the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (if the strain is derived from indigenous biological resources, necessary permissions from the National Biodiversity Authority should be in place), and DBT guidelines for safe handling of microorganisms.
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Review & Acceptance: Each submitted strain undergoes a curation and scientific review process. Our repository team will verify the information provided, assess the strain’s relevance and novelty for production use, and ensure all compliance documents are in order. In addition, the authenticity and production relevance of the strain will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Upon successful evaluation, the strain will be assigned a unique Accession Number and included in the repository catalog. If any issues arise or additional information is needed, we will promptly coordinate with you for clarification.
How to Deposit a Strain?
To submit a strain for inclusion, please complete the Strain Submission Form and review our Repository Deposit Agreement, which outlines the terms of deposit, IP conditions, and compliance requirements. Depositors of accepted strains will receive an official acknowledgment.
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Timeline: The typical time from submission to decision is around 2 to 4 weeks. This can vary depending on the completeness of your submission, the necessary compliance checks, and the growth parameters and validation of the strain for the claimed modifications. We strive to make the process efficient and will keep you informed.
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Support: If you need assistance at any stage of the deposit process, please reach out to our team. For submission support, you can contact the repository curator. We are here to help with form submission, material shipment, or any queries about agreement and guidelines.
Your strain could become a game-changer for India’s biotech industry, while you gain recognition and possible licensing benefits through repository distribution.