Continued support is requested for operation of the Escherichia coli Genetic Stock Center. The Center maintains a collection of over 7,500 mutant derivatives of E. coli strain K-12, and has distributed approximately 17,500 certified genetically pure cultures over the last five years. Recipient investigators and teachers work in such diverse fields as microbial genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, genome sequencing, biophysics, medical research and pharmacology. Users are found in academia, non-profit research institutes, and government and industrial laboratories. The Center also serves as an information resource on genotypes of mutant derivatives of E. coli and on function and genetic mapping of E. coli genes. It continues to coordinate assignment of gene symbols and to encourage adherence to the accepted genetic nomenclature. Extensive information is made freely available on the Center's Web site
