MISSION
Council of Heads of Australian Collections of Microorganisms (CHACM)
Introduction
The Council of Heads of Australian Collections of Microorganisms (CHACM) is comprised of the Administrative Heads of the major permanent collections of cultures of microorganisms (including cell lines, DNA, and associated biological material) in Australia. CHACM aims to promote the value and use of culture collections in Australia and their role as custodians of Australian microbial diversity and providers of reference cultures for research, taxonomy, identification, quality assurance, and for use in industry, biotechnology, biodiscovery, and education. CHACM is currently an unincorporated body. It does not directly administer funds or employ staff and does not have an ABN. The Headquarters of CHACM is the office of the Chairperson.
Objectives
CHACM aims to promote all matters and activities of interest to culture collections of microorganisms in Australia and to increase cooperation, collaboration and understanding between them and their users. The activities and objectives are carried out in accordance with the Constitution and the authority of Council meetings. The general objectives of CHACM are to:
- Promote the value of culture collections of microorganisms and recognition of their underpinning role as centres of resources and expertise for the life sciences and associated bioindustries
- Promote the need for adequate sources of funding to allow the appropriate development of culture collections to meet national needs
- Foster communication between collections and their users
- Identify and meet the needs of Australian scientists for the accession and supply of microbial cultures
- Contribute to the development of national policies on culture collections and the conservation of Australian microbial diversity
- Facilitate access to information on Australian microbial resources
- Develop quality standards for the operation and management of culture collections in Australia
- Provide access to information on current guidelines for management and operation of culture collections to meet international standards, including quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity, quarantine, and shipping regulations
- Establish effective liaison with bodies designating cultures for standard methods of analysis in Australia and keep a register of these cultures
- Organise meetings, workshops and symposia in collaboration with scientific societies to promote the training of personnel in the operation of culture collections
- Assist with the perpetuation of important collections and cultures of microorganisms under threat
- Collaborate in national and international initiatives to document, database, and exchange information on microbial cultures in Australia
Membership
Membership of CHACM is open to the Heads (or their nominee) of Australia’s permanent culture collections of microorganisms. Permanent collections are those having the support of their host institution and who agree to share information on their accessions and provide cultures for legitimate scientific purposes. Current members are shown on the attached list. Enquiries and applications for membership should be directed to the Chairperson.
CHACM Executive
An Executive is elected annually to administer the activities of the Council between meetings. The Executive comprises a Chairperson and two other members.
Meetings
The Council meets at least annually, the host institution rotating among the cities in which collections are located. Annual Meetings may be conducted partly or wholly by teleconference. The business of CHACM is governed by a
constitution.
Observers
CHACM invites observers from kindred organizations to its meetings. These may include representatives of scientific and professional scientific societies, government departments and agencies, and regulatory bodies whose work depends on access to cultures and information about those cultures in Australia.
Subcommittees and working groups
From time to time CHACM establishes subcommittees and/or working groups from among its member institutions to attend to and report on particular issues of relevance to culture collections.