DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS

It is our objective to make our mouse lines widely available to interested scientists. In addition, all new lines will be cryopreserved to insure their continued availability as a resource for future researchers. Resources are also being devoted to provide genetic map locations of many mutations, as well as detailed phenotypic characterization. High-throughput phenotyping protocols are also available for researchers interested in adopting or developing these techniques.

While identification of new mutations is important, these lines truly gain scientific value through their description from a variety of biological perspectives. It is only by broadly distributing these mice to interested scientists that this can be achieved.

When a request for materials is made, we will request some additional contact information. This is to minimize any delays associated with completion of a Material Transfer Agreement or (in the case of live mice) veterinary approval of the shipment.

THE MATERIAL TRANSFER AGREEMENT (MTA)

Before distribution, a Material Transfer Agreement will be executed between the supplying (Neuromice.org) and recipient Institutions. The Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a legal contract between the provider and recipient, defining the terms and conditions for a transfer of proprietary material. Neuromice.org requires a full MTA for your first order. On subsequent orders, you need only provide an attachment.

All Neuromice.org mouse lines are subject to a Determination of Exceptional Circumstance (DEC), with the intention of making NIH-supported resources available for distribution with minimal encumbrances. Thus, intellectual property rights for Neuromice.org mouse lines are retained by NIH, rather than by any of the consortium sites, since any potential patent claims might pose an impediment to the distribution of the mutant lines.

HEALTH REPORT APPROVAL

Also before we ship live mice, a health report will be sent to the recipient institution's veterinary staff for approval. Although all Neuromice.org lines are maintained in Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) conditions, we will not ship mice without confirmation that the recipient institution's animal facility is prepared to receive and house the animals. This does not apply to other materials.