Marine

The North East Pacific Culture Collection (NEPCC) is a living collection of marine microalgae containing several hundred isolates with representatives from all of the major algal groups.

NEPCC History

The North East Pacific Culture Collection (NEPCC) is a living collection of marine microalgae which was formed during the late 1960’s by Dr. F.J.R. “Max” Taylor. At that time only a few “weed species” such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Isochrysis galbana were available for ecological studies. The objective for building the Collection was to isolate species that were ecologically important in the North Pacific. This continues to be the focus of the NEPCC although species from many other localities, including the tropics, are maintained.

The collection now contains several hundred isolates with representatives from all of the major algal groups. Dr. Taylor’s interest in dinoflagellates is reflected in the large proportion of members of this group. The collection has had several curators, including Judy Acreman, Linda Greenway, and Elaine Simons.