Culture inocula are provided on request in various forms:

1. Dried whole inoculum (roots/spores/hyphae/growth medium) in quantities of 175 ml that are stored in sealed zip-loc plastic bags and mailed in a styrafoam box.
2. Cleaned (sonicated and washed) spores extracted from a specified culture and mailed in 5 ml plastic vials containing moistened sterile sand. Number of spores vary from 200-1000 depending on the investigator's needs, but we generally send approximately 800 per vial.
3. Bulk inoculum (one liter or more) of similar composition to (1) above, but consisting of a customized mix of isolates of different species for immediate use in experiments. In this category, considerable advance notice is required to define germplasm requirements and the specific mix requested. Occasionally, when speed is required and the investigator is not too choosey about particular isolates or species, then a mixture can be put together of available bulk inoculum in the collection.

Since 1999, we request that all solicitors of germ plasm sign a Material Transfer Agreement. to insure that culture materials from widely differing origins are not passed around among users indiscriminately. It is important that the collection be able to track released fungal germplasm if intellectual property rights becomes an issue.

The cost of each culture (1, 2, or 3 above) is $50 for faculty or full-time researchers. A nominal shipping charge also now is added because we mail packages via Federal Express Supersaver (U.S.) or International economy (other countries). We do this because Fed Ex provides a tracking number for each package so we can monitor the shipment. The cost of inoculum for commercial enterprises is higher, but will vary with whether the germplasm is targetted for research or for commercialization. The cost for bulk mixes (4 above) will vary with supply and thus must be negotiated at the time of the request. For high school and undergraduate students involved in non-thesis research, or for graduate students who do not have external funding, inoculum is available at no charge (a letter from advisor/mentor required to stipulate need)..

Once a request is received, stocks are checked immediately and if sufficient quantity of inoculum is available, an email will be sent confirming availability. Ideally, we would like to have a requisition or purchase order in our hands at the time of shipment so that the P.O. number can be cross-referenced on the invoice (mailed with the shipment). In the past two years, for some reason, a significant number of accounts from European clients have gone unpaid or checks received by mail have bounced. Therefore, prepayment is now required for orders outside North America. Once payment is received, inocula will be mailed usually within 72 hrs (unless the delay in payment is such that cultures have been restarted or stock becomes too low because of demand by others). .

If stocks are too low to mail out immediately, the requesting agent will be contacted by e-mail and informed of the situation. At that time, substitute cultures will be recommended if inocula are needed quickly or an estimated ship date will be provided.

Upon culturing an INVAM isolate, the recipient may return a sample of the spore population to verify purity and identity. There will be no charge if: (i) spores have been extracted and mailed in a vial containing preservative AND (ii) a self-addressed and stamped envelope is included in the package.

II. Living spores

Vials of cleaned spores of individual isolates can be requested for teaching or research purposes. Less inoculum is obtained, but the spore purity and identity is guaranteed. This option has been used by molecular biologists and other researchers who have no experience with these fungi or do not understand their taxonomy.

The cost of each vial is identical to that of whole inoculum when supplied for research or commercial purposes. No charge will be applied for requests involving spores used in teaching.

III. Preserved spores

Vials of spores preserved in sodium azide also can be requested for teaching demonstrations or as vouchers in a research program. All vials will contain spores that have been stored in INVAM's voucher collection for less than 30 days. If none are available, then spores will be extracted, prepared, and mailed within 72 hours.

The cost of each vial is $15 to researchers and $30 to commercial companies. There is no charge to teachers or high school or undergraduate college students in the United States. For all others, a mail charge is assessed.