Collection Access
Access human microbiome isolates for your research
The AHMB maintains a growing collection of authenticated, cryopreserved microbial isolates derived from the human microbiome, available to researchers and commercial organisations worldwide.
The Collection
What does the AHMB hold?
The AHMB is a purpose-built repository of authenticated microbial isolates derived from the human microbiome. All isolates are cryopreserved, quality controlled and accompanied by deidentified donor metadata. Each isolate is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis confirming quality release status and a Product Information Sheet detailing growth conditions, media requirements and handling guidance.
Only microbial isolates are held and distributed by the AHMB. No human cells, human DNA or primary samples are available under any circumstances.
Microbial Isolates
Pure cultures of bacteria isolated from human-derived samples, maintained in long-term cryopreservation at the Centre for Microbiome Research (CMR), QUT.
Deidentified Donor Metadata
Demographic and clinical variables including age, sex, disease status and anatomical collection site are linked to each isolate. No personally identifying information is disclosed.
Characterisation Data
Identity confirmation, purity, viability and available genomic or phenotypic characterisation for each isolate.
Distribution Documentation
Certificate of Analysis and Product Information Sheet (growth media, conditions and handling guidance) provided with every distribution.
Eligibility
Who can access the collection?
The AHMB accepts applications from academic researchers, non-commercial research organisations and commercial or industry organisations. The type of agreement required varies by organisation type and intended use.
| Requestor Type | Eligible Uses | Agreement Required |
|---|---|---|
| Academic institutions & research organisations | Non-commercial, bona fide research purposes | Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) + Approved User Acknowledgement (AUA) |
| Commercial & industry organisations — research use | Research and development using AHMB isolates | Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) + Approved User Acknowledgement (AUA) |
| Any organisation — commercialisation or licensing | Product development, licensing or commercial application of AHMB material | Commercial licence — subject to Access Committee review and negotiation via QUT |
Access Fees
What does access cost?
Access fees are applied on a cost-recovery basis, encompassing quality control, preparation, cryogenic storage and distribution. The current fee schedule for requestors is provided below. Fees are reviewed annually and quoted in Australian dollars (AUD), exclusive of GST.
| Fee Item | Description | Amount (AUD, ex GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Access fee — per isolate | Full cost-recovery fee covering preparation, QC release and documentation for each isolate distributed to external requestors | $528.00 |
| Handling and packaging fee | Preparation and packaging of material ready for courier collection, including appropriate cryogenic packaging | Included |
| Certificate of Analysis and Product Information Sheet | Issued with every distribution | Included |
| Commercial / licensing access | Fees for commercialisation or licensing are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with QUT's OIE and ORS teams | By negotiation |
| For international deliveries, courier and freight costs, as well as any customs documentation or import permits required by the receiving country, are the responsibility of the requestor. | ||
Application Process
How to apply for access
All access requests begin with the Isolate Access Application Form. Research access requests typically take 5–20 working days. Commercial and licensing requests require additional review time. Applicants uncertain of the appropriate access pathway are encouraged to contact the AHMB prior to submission.
Submit an Isolate Access Form
Complete the Isolate Access Application Form, providing contact details, a description of the proposed research and the AHMB accession number(s) of the requested isolate(s). The AHMB can assist with identifying relevant isolates from the collection catalogue upon request.
Eligibility review
Applications are assessed for eligibility within 5 business days of receipt of a complete submission. Applicants are notified of the outcome and provided with guidance on next steps.
Receive cost estimate and agreements
If approved in principle, you will receive a cost estimate and the relevant access agreements. External requestors will receive a draft Material Transfer Agreement for review by your institution.
Execution of agreements and payment
Access is formally approved upon receipt of agreements executed by authorised representatives of both parties and confirmation of payment.
Courier collection
Isolate(s) are prepared and packaged at TRI, Brisbane. Requestors are responsible for arranging courier collection and ensuring all import permits and receiving-country documentation are in place prior to collection.
Conditions of Use
What are the conditions of access?
All recipients are bound by the following conditions under their executed access agreement, in order to preserve the integrity of the collection and protect donor interests.
Permitted use only
Material must be used only for purposes specified in your access agreement. Any change of use requires prior written AHMB approval.
No onward transfer
AHMB material may not be transferred, sublicensed or otherwise provided to any third party without prior written consent from the AHMB and QUT.
Acknowledgement required
All publications and research outputs arising from use of AHMB material must include an acknowledgement of the AHMB using the approved statement provided at the time of distribution.
Publication notification
Requestors are required to notify the AHMB of any publications arising from use of collection material within 30 days of manuscript submission.
Your ethics obligations
Receipt of AHMB material does not constitute or confer ethics approval. Requestors are solely responsible for obtaining any institutional ethics approvals required for their proposed research.
Import responsibilities
Requestors bear full responsibility for import permits, customs documentation and compliance with receiving-country requirements prior to courier collection.
Ethics & Governance
Our ethical framework
The AHMB operates under a rigorous ethical and governance framework consistent with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NHMRC, 2023).
What this means for you as a recipient
All isolates in the AHMB collection are derived from biological samples donated by human participants under fully informed consent, with donor authorisation for use in both research and commercial applications. Isolates are distributed with deidentified metadata only; no material can be attributed to an individual donor.
The AHMB Access Committee oversees all access decisions to ensure that use of collection material remains consistent with donor consent and applicable ethical requirements.
The AHMB distributes microbial isolates only. Primary samples (e.g. stool, oral, vaginal or skin) are not available under any circumstances.
Ready to apply or want to find out more?
Contact us to discuss your research needs, request an isolate catalogue or obtain a fee estimate before applying.
