Importance of Vision, Visibility and Viability of Microbial Resource Centres

Microbes are providers of raw materials for green, red, blue and white or grey biotechnology. Recent data from DNA-based culture-independent research revealed that huge microbial diversity of immense biotechnological potential is not yet cultured. Cultivation, characterization and biobanking of microbial resources are imperative for academic as well as industrial growth of any nation. Establishment of a quality Microbial Resource Centre (MRC) with state-of-theart facilities and competent faculties is a prerequisite to safeguard microbial biodiversity for future bioeconomy. This article discusses how the vision and visibility of MRCs will help in their long-term sustainability and revenue generation respectively, for the benefit of the research community.