[A comprehensive review and future prospects of biobanking pathogenic microorganisms causing human infections in China]

Pathogenic microorganisms serve as a crucial material foundation for life sciences and the progression of the biotechnology industry, and they also constitute an essential prerequisite for scientific innovation. Over the past century, global initiatives aimed at the collection and utilization of microorganisms have been instrumental in facilitating fundamental scientific research and fostering advancements in biotechnology. This article provides a comprehensive review of the history of culture collections of human-infecting pathogenic microorganisms in China, with a specific emphasis on developments over the past two decades. It delineates and consolidates four distinct stages of development along with their notable achievements. Additionally, the paper examines the positioning, responsibilities, development strategies, and measures associated with culture collections in this new historical context, with the objective of offering significant technical support for the monitoring and early warning of potential global pandemics in the future, thereby ensuring national biosecurity.