Introduction
The National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses (NCPV) preserves well characterised, authenticated human pathogenic viruses in a secure facility, and NCPV is able to supply the agents or nucleic acids derived from them, to the scientific community according to national and international guides. The strategy and policy of NCPV accession is overseen by a Scientific Advisory Panel , composed of distinguished virologists and clinicians from universities and medical schools, government agencies and industry.

The Collection is primarily comprised of human pathogenic viruses requiring handling at biosafety levels 3 or 4, but has expanded to encompass hazard group 2 pathogens. Most of the material is in the form of cell-cultured virus stocks, but where desirable or necessary, provision has also been made for selected clinical material and uncultivable viruses to be archived as serum, tissue or other biological samples, or in the form of cloned material. The Collection contains materials, particularly in the area of emerging virus diseases, which are not readily available to the wider scientific community. NCPV expect the Collection to be of benefit in the future development and testing of vaccines and antiviral compounds, in the development and validation of diagnostic test systems, and in the conservation of biodiversity.

Virus-Derived Materials
As well as infectious viruses, NCPV makes available materials derived from them. These include purified virus DNA or RNA, lysates of infected cells, PCR products and cloned genes. We are introducing methods for the production of host-cell mRNA preparations from virus-infected cells, and for making labelled cDNAs for microarray-based applications. These materials will be produced to exacting standards in compliance with MIAME (Minimum Information About A Microarray Experiment) guidelines formulated by the Microarray Gene Expression Data Society. Contact NCPV for further information.

Authentication and Quality Control
Virus stocks held by NCPV are subject to rigorous quality control, to provide objective evidence of authenticity, and to assure the absence of contaminating micro-organisms. Authentication is approached on a case-by-case basis, but generally involves PCR amplification and sequencing of appropriate regions of the viral genome, and the use of monoclonal antibodies. Stocks are screened by PCR for the presence of mycoplasma and by culture-based methods for bacterial and fungal contamination.

The importance of this authentication process has been underlined by our finding of poliovirus type 1 in some serotyped human rhinovirus stocks during the accession process.

Additional Services Provided by the NCPV
In addition to the services outlined above, NCPV stores and carries out viability testing on virus patent deposits on behalf of ECACC. Viruses can be stored with NCPV as safe deposits (not made available to other users of NCPV), providing a safe, secure backup to the customer's own storage facility. The collection also provides information and backup to ECACC, and undertakes any virological investigations they may require. Finally, NCPV undertakes collaborative projects and contract research/developmental work with academic and commercial partners, particularly by providing expertise in handling high containment pathogens.

How to order
The wide range of cell lines used by NCPV are all supplied by ECACC. Download the NCPV catalogue to view the entire list and complete the appropriate forms in full:

• NCPV Catalogue
• NCPV New Account Application Form 
• NCPV Registration Form
     
     Price: £200 per item (price does not include packaging and transport).
  
  There is a £50 surcharge on orders requiring transfer and/or export licences from governmental regulatory bodies.

1. Some items available from NCPV, containing hazardous viruses or materials derived from them, are subject to export controls agreed by the Australia Group of states or other restrictions required by UK DEFRA. NCPV conforms to the United Kingdom National Culture Collection (UKNCC) Guidelines in processing requests for such materials (further details can be found on the UKNCC website ). In particular, those requesting such materials and any viruses requiring handling under biosafety classification-3 or classification-4 conditions, must complete a NCPV Registration form before ordering. Contact the NCPV to obtain a registration form.
   
2. NCPV reserves the right to refuse any order which in its judgement does not show clear evidence that it is for safe and legitimate use. There is no obligation to give reasons for such a refusal.
   
3. It is the responsibility of those requesting materials to comply with any relevant national or local legislation or regulation governing their storage or use.
   
4. Materials are supplied on the condition that they shall not be passed on to third parties without the express consent of NCPV. It should be noted that such transfer of materials subject to Australia Group or DEFRA regulation may constitute a criminal offence. Such transfer may also give rise to liabilities under civil law for disease or damage following transfer.
   
5.  Materials supplied by NCPV are intended for research purposes only. Commercial or diagnostic use should only be carried out with the expressed consent of NCPV.

Contacting the NCPV
You can contact NCPV if you require information about any of our viruses:

                Phone: +44 (0)1980 612311 or +44 (0)1980 612224

                Fax: +44 (0)1980 611096 or +44 (0)1980 611069

                Email: [email protected]