The Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae at the French National Museum of Natural History: A Century Old But Still Alive and Kicking! Including in Memoriam: Professor Alain Couté

Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae are key players in life on Earth. They have adapted to a broad diversity of ecosystems, ensure roughly half the primary production. Their detailed study greatly benefits from isolated strains, deposited maintained ex situ culture collections, made available scientific community along with expert knowledge. Established late 1920s, collection cyanobacteria at French National Museum Natural History (MNHN) now comprises over 1350 non-axenic live strains mostly freshwater ecosystems France. As research-oriented collection, it contributes biodiversity, taxonomy, genomics, bioactive compounds research. Notably, contains multiple various genera bloom-forming that ecological concern, some which produce cyanotoxins. Novel strategies for strain identification, conservation accessibility being implemented provide an up-to-date resource community. Through research, expertise ecotoxicology, partnerships industry or artists, MNHN appears both repository biodiversity as well sciences.