[bionet.technology.conversion] MIRCEN: World Data Center

P2269@com.qz.se ("ENG-LEONG FOO ", MIRCEN-STOCKHOLM) (04/28/89)

From: Eng-leong Foo, MIRCEN-Stockholm

WDC is a member of the MIRCEN network in Environmental, Applied
Microbiological and Biotechnological Research.

WDC was relocated to RIKEN (Life Science Research Information
Section, Inst of Physical and Chemical Research, 2-1 Hirosawa,
Wako, Saitama 351-01, Japan) in 1986 from the University of
Queensland (Australia) (also a MIRCEN) and its data managed in
the LSRIS minicomputer.

WDC serves as an information center which supports the culture
collections and their users. The primary tasks of WDC are:
1. Publication of the description of culture collections
2. Production of a species-oriented directory
(other tasks are performed based on necessity and available
resources).

Data activities of WDC
----------------------
INFORMATION COLLECTION: Primary data sources for WDC are the
culture collections. WDC collects, updates data from 327 culture
collections in 55 countries and tries to reach other non-affiliated
culture collections for collaboration and information exchange.

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION: WDC users all text-based communication
media; - postal mail   (RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-01, Japan)
       - telex         (02962818 RIKEN J)
       - cable         (RIKAGAKUINST)
       - facsimile     (0484-64-5651)
       - online search (DTE 44014384135)
       - email         (Dialcom 42: CDT0007)
       - publications

(note: RIKEN can also be reached via JUNET through Dr. Hideaki
Sugawara as <GETTY@RKNA50.RIKEN.JUNET>

DATA CONTENTS: The core data of the WDC is on culture collections
and their holdings and, e.g. enable online users to search for a
specific species or strain (bacteria, yeast, fungi, cell lines, algae,
protozoa, lichens, viruses, others).