The List of Prokaryotic Names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) has moved to a new URL (http://www.bacterio.net) and format. This requires several changes in the way StrainInfo parses and links the list, which we are currently implementing. During that time, type strain information will be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience while we work to restore access.

Work in the building where StrainInfo is hosted means that several of our main servers will have to be shutdown. As a result, strainInfo will be unavailable on Monday November 26, between 8AM and 8PM CET. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Due to a database issue straininfo was intermittently offline for these last few hours between 5PM and midnight on June 20. All issues should now be resolved, along with the earlier DNS problem. Please let us know if you run into any difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The hosts sync.straininfo.net and grs.straininfo.net are currently unavailable for some users due to a DNS issue. If you require access to these hosts (for uploading collection synchronisation data for instance) you can use lyme.ugent.be and gangrene.ugent.be respectively.

We are pleased to announce that BioloMICS, a popular biological database management application, is now testing support for exports to Microbiological Common Language. All Biological Resource Centers using BioloMICS will therefore soon be able to directly and easily synchronise their databases with StrainInfo through this common format.

Possible down time up to 6 hours.

The Culture Collection of Cryophilic Algae (CCCryo) is hosted at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) and is specialized in cryophilic freshwater and permafrost microalgae from polar and alpine environments. By using the XML synchronization process, CCCryo was able to uncomplicatedly add itself to the StrainInfo index and benefits from increased visibility on strain passports and through the strain browser.

Since its publication, the Microbiological Common Language (MCL) is receiving a growing attention from the microbiological community. In short, MCL is a general framework for the electronical exchange of microbiological information.

As MCL is designed as a general framework, MCL can be used in a number of different ways. An important use case is its use in synchronizing StrainInfo with BRC catalogs. Additionally, a growing portion of StrainInfo is becoming available as MCL files. The advanced search results and strain passports are readily available in MCL, and StrainInfo webservices use MCL to structure their responses. This MCL structured content can be used in large-scale analysis. More information can be found on our exports overview.

Stay tuned as we are currently working to extend MCL with additional terms to allow a more fine-grained description of strains. This will enable us to enrich strain passports with detailed information such as for example isolation habitat and location. We are currently collecting this information and therefore are looking for additional datasets that might be incorporated in this system. If you have a dataset (ranging over a large set of strains) you want to share with the microbiological community or if you are interested in applying MCL to solve your information exchange problem, do not hesitate to contact us for more information!

Sequence records collected from the INSDC databases form an important data component in StrainInfo. Historically, this information was updated every other week. In order to gather together as much relevant information as possible, including updated strain information on sequence records, updates are now performed daily.

Due to planned maintenance on the power grid, the StrainInfo services will be unavailable on Saturday 3 July for several hours between 05:00 - 15:00 UTC. During this time, the website and StrainInfo synchronization server will be offline.

The Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) and Centre International de Ressources Microbiennes - Levures (CIRM-Levures) adopted the XML synchronisation procedure. This brings the number of actively indexed BRCs to nine, with more BRCs in the pipeline!

The straininfo.net domain has been changed to point to the new version, marking the effective launch of the new StrainInfo!

The old StrainInfo will still be available for some time at http://microlab.ugent.be.

We are proud to announce that the VTT Culture Collection has now joined our XML synchronisation process, bringing the total up to 7 BRCs (with more in the pipeline).

For those interested in an overview of the currently indexed BRCs and some synchronisation status, there is now a stats page with more information.

Today, the StrainInfo index has been updated for Czech National Collection of Type Cultures (CNCTC). CNCTC is the sixth BRC to synchronize with StrainInfo using the XML based import procedure.

Due to planned database maintenance, the StrainInfo services will temporarily be unavailable on friday 7 aug 13:30 UTC for up to 2 hours. Note that the legacy StraiInfo.net website will still be available and functional during this time.

The StrainInfo index was updated for the CFBP catalog. CFBP (Collection Française de Bactéries Phytopatogènes) synchronizes with StrainInfo using the XML based synchronization procedure. This way, CFBP benefits from up to date presence on the StrainInfo strain passports and greater visibility as a result of direct access in the strain browser.

Maintenance of the website has been completed. You should now be able to log in again. This new version of StrainInfo contains lots of small tweaks and bug fixes, including but not limited to: a wider search bar, slightly changed colour scheme, lists of cultures on publication passports, direct links to the strain browser and more. As always, let us know if you have any questions or remarks.

We will be deploying a new version of StrainInfo this afternoon. Due to changes in the underlying infrastructure, login to Histri and the main StrainInfo site might be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Today, the StrainInfo web application has been upgraded. This release includes an updated catalog browser, better Internet Explorer support and many subtile design improvements. More importantly, the registration form has been opened to the public. A StrainInfo account enables you to edit Histris, and prepares you for extra functionality that will added to StrainInfo in the future. Do not hesitate to contact us if you encounter problems!

Four BRCs are the first to implement the StrainInfo XML synchronization procedure for improved synchronization. The StrainInfo index was updated to include new strains in the CIP, BCCM/LMG, PCC and VKM catalogs. These BRCs benefit from up to date presence in StrainInfo and self-initiated updates.

Welcome to the StrainInfo 2.0 beta release, a completely new version of the StrainInfo website. The StrainInfo team has been hard at work these past few months designing and preparing a complete rethink of the original website, complete with all the features you're used to and more. We hope you enjoy using this new version of StrainInfo and as always, please let us know if you have any questions/find any bugs in this release.

Today we released the first version of StrainInfo 2.0 for closed beta to affiliated members at Ghent University. Test, use, experience and let us know if you find any bugs!