Cyanobacterial LEGE strains are normally kept at 10–30 μmol photons m−2 s−1 under 12h/12h or 14h/10h light/dark cycles. The range of controlled temperature conditions at LEGE are 14ºC, 19ºC (for most strains), and 25ºC

For specific culture conditions of a strain, please see the respective website strain entry.

Strains included in this website are maintained by subculturing, in six different media (see Knowledgebase). Subculturing transfers range from 2 (e.g. sensitive/delicate strains) to 6 months.

Some strains are also cryopreserved at -80ºC. Soon, a stock comprising the full collection will be cryopreserved and stored at -150ºC. Strain replicates will be regularly thawed and evaluated for quality control, and the stock replenished. This long-term preservation procedure allows the genetic stability of LEGE strains and reduces the risk of strain contamination or loss.

Prior to any shipment, the morphological traits, growth and fitness of the strain are visually inspected.

Cyanotoxin production by toxic strains are regularly evaluated by analytical chemistry methods, using CIIMAR facilities.

Customers agree to cite properly the LEGE strain number(s) in all publications or patent applications and to acknowledge the LEGE collection as the source of the strains. Customers are kindly requested to inform us of any publication including LEGE strains.

HANDLING AND SAFETY ISSUES

• Tubes/cultures sent by LEGE should only be opened and used by trained persons, in suitable laboratory conditions.
• The volume and concentration of culture supplied is unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory workers, the community, livestock, or the environment.
• LEGE is not responsible to any damage or injury that might happen after arrival.
• The customer should maintain, grow, use or dispose the cultures in accordance with appropriate procedures and precautions to avoid risks to persons and to the environment.
• Some LEGE strains are known to produce common cyanotoxins. In such cases, customers will be warned about it. Specific hazards that may be encountered when processing toxic cyanobacteria and recommended control measures can be found in Stewart et al. (2009).
• LEGE strains may produce other secondary metabolites with unknown toxicity, all strains should be treated with caution.

In all situations, customers are advised to use a Class II biosafety cabinet for work with the cultures, and an autoclave or other suitable method (see Stewart et al., 2009) for disposal and decontamination within the lab.