Biobanks for “Bio-vention”: Culture Collections, professionals underpinning microbial resources exploitation.

Faced with global challenges such as the overexploitation of resources and climate change, countries and international institutions are reacting by developing strategies aimed at correcting and structuring societal models that are more respectful of the global ecosystem.Several models are emerging in particular: Knowledge Based Bioeconomy (KBBE) and Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG). KBBEi can be concisely defined as “transforming life sciences knowledge into new, sustainable, eco-efficient and competitive products”. BCG is an Integration of bioeconomy, circular and green economyii.The collections adapt to the evolution of the life sciences and the changes this implies in terms of scientific needs and take account of socio-economic legal and political constraints to best meet the demands of their users. As a result, Culture Collections have evolved from mere centres of conservation and distribution of microbiological material to “Biological Resources Centres (BRC)”, basic infrastructures for biosciences in Knowledge Base Bio-Economy conceived as sources of all essentials for Research and Development in Life Sciencesiii. Since ۲۰۱۸, the ISO ۲۰۳۸۷:۲۰۱۸ standard entitled "General requirements for biobanking" has been developing the biobank concept, giving a socio-economic stakeholder dimension to collections. This approach not only adds the role of wealth producers to that of knowledge producers, but also facilitates private-public partnerships. The shift of terminology reflects this evolution.Comprehensive exploration and structured study of microbial diversity implies access to huge numbers of specimens. These assets of fundamental scientific importance must be conserved and provided with the highest level of reliability to ensure consistent Research and Innovation.When users search through biobank catalogues, it is like looking through open windows and discovering what the microbial world has to offer. Yet scientists are rarely aware of the enormous work behind the list of strains they consult. The biobank catalogues are the sum of many efforts.The information system stores and processes not only scientific and technical information, but also administrative and clerical data to ensure that the material provided is fit-for-purpose from both a scientific and legal perspective. The material is well identified and named according to the updated nomenclature, has the characteristics expected both for trials and for standardized industrial production under safe conditions and respecting the intellectual property rights of each.When entrepreneurs and technicians eventually receive the microorganisms, they receive the keys to exploring and exploiting the microbial world through the professional dedication of the door openers that are culture collections.The ability to provide this triangle of biological material, related data and expertise transforms the passive role of collections into a full partner in the process of bio-based invention, of bio-invention. Furthermore, when this inventive process is anticipated or generated by collections, either on their own initiative or in public-private partnerships, in a Bio-Circular-Green economy, we can call it bio-venture.