Algal Culture Bank - GUMACC
The Algal Culture Bank at the University of Gothenburg provides cultures of marine microalgae. The main purpose of the culture collection is to provide marine microalgae to researchers and teaching staff at the University of Gothenburg for their activities. We also accept requests for algal cultures from organisations and researchers outside the University for a fixed fee.
Current collection
The current collection consists of over a hundred marine microalgae species representing various taxonomic and ecological groups. New diatom species, isolated from Scandinavian waters, are being continuously added to the collection.
GUMACC database
A list of available strains and detailed information about each strain can be found in the GUMACC database. The database includes search and ordering functions.
For further information, please contact Olga Kourtchenko.
Link to the GUMACC database.
Prices
Prices are for two 10 ml tubes of algal culture. Large quantities can be supplied by special arrangement (only for collecting in person).
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg: Free of charge.
Schools in Sweden: Free of charge.
Scientists outside the University of Gothenburg: 300 SEK + shipping.
Non-profit organisations: 300 SEK + shipping.
Others: 1000 SEK + shipping.
How to order
Cultures can be ordered by email or fax. Cultures can also be collected in person at the Department of Marine Sciences, 4th floor, Natrium, Medicinaregatan 7b, Gothenburg.
We prefer signed orders sent by email or fax. Please include your VAT number, shipping address, invoice address, and email address.
A confirmation of the order, including the expected shipping date, will be sent to you.
Citing GUMACC
If you used specific strains for your research, please acknowledge the value of GUMACC by citing it in your article. Please use the following format for citing GUMACC:
University of Gothenburg Marine Algae Culture Collection (GUMACC) [https://www.gu.se/en/marina-vetenskaper/about-us/algal-bank-gumacc] [date]
If GUMACC was useful generally in your research, please cite the following publication in your article:
O Kourtchenko, G Carnovale, A Wulff, A Tronholm, A Y. Al-Handal, M Appelgren, C Spetea. (2026) The Gothenburg University Marine Algae Culture Collection (GUMACC): A Nordic resource for marine microalgal research, biotechnology and education. Algal Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2026.104874
Questions
If you have questions, please contact:
Olga Kourtchenko
Phone: +46 31 786-6124
E-mail: Olga Kourtchenko
Fax: +46 31 786 2727
History of GUMACC
Algae have been cultured at Marine Botany since 1955. A collection of planktonic microalgae to be used as standards for HPLC-analysis (HPLC = High Performance Liquid Chromatography) of photosynthetic pigments has been maintained since 1992. This collection has subsequently been enlarged. In 1999 GMF started to support the collection and it was named GUMACC. Previously GMF supported a culture collection at Lund University 1989-1998. That collection (LAC = Lund Algal Collection) was moved to Kalmar and is now known as KAC.