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, along with 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 Institutes of Health.

The MMRRC is committed to upholding the highest standards of experimental design and quality control to optimize the reproducibility of research studies using mutant mice. Specific quality control and assurance testing are in place to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of research.

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. For detailed information on repository costs, please visit our Fees page.

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 need to ship mice to multiple requesting investigators
• You may receive a one-time, no MMRRC fee, delivery of either live mice (if available) or one aliquot of 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/materials to the MMRRC
• If Donor funded, you may negotiate a 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.