The Biological Resources of Model Organisms

The Biological Resources of Model Organisms discusses 14 model organisms and are used by thousands of researchers, teachers, and students each year in laboratories and classrooms, around the globe. Though acknowledged in innumerable scientific journal articles, little is generally known about the origin of these collections, how the organisms contained within them have been acquired, and how they are maintained and distributed. While some collections such as Drosophila have long histories others, such as the collection of Brachionus, are relatively new. They vary greatly in size. Yet, all have contributed and are continuing to contribute to global research efforts in many areas of scientific research as diverse as tissue regeneration, skin cancer, evolution, water purity, gene function, and hundreds of others. In addition to providing the raw materials for national and international research programs, these collections also provide educational tools used by colleges and high schools.

The chapters in The Biological Resources of Model Organisms attempt to provide a brief look at the individual organisms, how they came to be accepted as model organisms, the history of the individual collections, examples of how the organisms have been and are being used in scientific research, and a description of the facilities and procedures used to maintain them.

1. Introduction to the Laboratory Axolotl and the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center
2. The Genetic Resources of Arabidopsis thaliana: The Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center
3. The Bacillus Genetic Stock Center/Bacillus subtilis
4. Genetic Resources of Rotifers in the Genus Brachionus
5. The Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC) and the Caenorhabditis elegans Natural Diversity Resource
6. The Chlamydomonas Resource Center
7. The Zebrafish International Resource Center
8. The Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center: Management, Maintenance, Distribution, and Research
9. The Fungal Genetics Stock Center Supporting Foundational and Emerging Model Systems
10. The Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center
11. The Tetrahymena Stock Center: A Versatile Research and Educational Resource
12. The National Xenopus Resource
13. Xiphophorus Fishes and the Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center
14. ATCC: The Biological Resource Center for the Future