Upon receipt of submitted materials, the MMRRC Distribution Center will undertake reasonable efforts to assess (e.g., sex, viability, etc.), identify (e.g., genotype, phenotype), and recover (e.g., cryopreserved materials) the strain. Any discrepancy in the expected allele(s), genetic background, or viability and recoverability of cryopreserved materials may result in a rescission of acceptance of a strain or imposition of service costs to the submitting investigator at the discretion of the MMRRC Distribution Center.

Types of Discrepancies

Expected Allele(s)

In certain instances, the assigned Center may determine that the submitted materials do not match the expected allele(s) described in the original submission. Examples include, but are not limited to, absence of a mutant allele (e.g., wildtype instead of knockout), presence of an unintended allele (e.g., Cre), or inconsistencies in zygosity or genotype that prevent the recovery of the intended strain. It is important to provide the assigned Center with a proven and gene-specific genotyping protocol to attempt to avoid any potential allele discrepancies.

In the event that submitted materials fail to match the allele(s) that were accepted as part of the submission application, the SI may be liable for resuscitation, validation, or associated service costs at the discretion of the assigned MMRRC Distribution Center.

Cryo-viability

When cryopreserved embryos and/or germplasm are submitted instead of live mice, the assigned Center may find that the condition of the frozen materials is not amenable for resuscitation, or that successfully cryorecovered mice do not express the expected allele(s). It is important to provide the assigned Center with the cryopreservation and cryorecovery protocol specific to your submitted strain in order to enhance the likelihood of a successful cryorecovery.

In the event that submitted materials are inviable and/or fail to recover, the SI may be liable for resuscitation, validation, or associated service costs at the discretion of the assigned MMRRC Distribution Center.

Genetic Background

In some cases, the genetic background of a submitted strain may differ from that reported at the time of submission. Once available, genetic background information is assessed by MiniMUGA. If discrepancies between information on the submission application and the MiniMUGA report are identified, the Strain Detail Sheet for the specific strain will be updated accordingly, including revision to nomenclature if necessary. The SI will be notified of these updates.

Genetic background discrepancies do not constitute a failure to meet submission requirements or result in levying potential fees.