The three cornerstones for biological resource centres

Abstract

Biological resource centres (BRCs) are an essential part of the infrastructure underpinning life sciences and biotechnology. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) taskforce on BRCs (1999-2004), has put in a great effort of thought to define the new BRCs and forms the basis for the future development of the actual culture and reference collections. The effort, which has taken so many years and was, from the beginning, inspired by many WFCC members, has resulted in an important visionary document.