• Introduction to the MMRRC

• Background

• Organization

• Contact Information

• MMRRC Agreements

• How to Link to Us

General Information about the MMRRC

Welcome to the Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Centers (MMRRC) Web site.

The MMRRC distributes and cryopreserves scientifically valuable, genetically engineered mouse strains and mouse ES cell lines with potential value for the genetics and biomedical research community. We are a national network of breeding and distribution facilities plus an information coordinating center serving together as NIH's premier repository of spontaneous and induced mutant mouse and cell lines. The MMRRC is supported by the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health.

Strains of mice are maintained in a cryopreserved state unless demand warrants that a live colony be established. Live mice are supplied from a production colony, from a colony recovered from cryopreservation, or via micro-injection of a cell line into host blastocysts. At its option, an MMRRC facility may offer cryopreserved material for resuscitation at the recipient scientist's institution. The MMRRC charges fees to partially cover repository costs; please see our Fees page for details.

Benefits to you ...

As a requesting investigator:

• Access to unique models not commercially available
  
• Specific Pathogen Free health status mice
  
• Genetic Quality Control

As a donating investigator:

• Fulfills your NIH obligation to share biomedical research resources (if applicable)
  
• Reduces animal housing resources
  
• Reduces per diem costs
  
• Creates a cryopreserved archive of the line
  
• Eliminates your shipment of mice to multiple requesting investigators
  
• You may receive a one-time, no MMRRC fee, delivery of either live mice (if available) or one aliquot cryopreserved sperm (as supplies allow) for each strain you donate to the MMRRC Note: You will need to pay shipping charges
  
• If MMRRC funded, you pay only the cost of shipping mice/material to the MMRRC
  
• If Donor funded, you may negotiate fee-for-service with the MMRRC

In addition, the MMRRC member facilities develop new technologies to improve the handling of mutant mice, including advances in assisted reproductive techniques, cryobiology, genetic analysis, phenotyping and infectious disease diagnostics.