The “Central Collection of Algal Cultures (CCAC)” at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is one of the largest collections of algal cultures worldwide (formerly Culture Collection of Algae at the University of Cologne). The CCAC was formally established in spring 2001, associated with membership in the “World Federation for Culture Collections”. The CCAC is part of the “World Data Centre for Microorganisms” and a member of the “European Culture Collections’ Organisation”.