Transfers and Sharing of MMRRC Materials

Investigators who obtain mice from the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Centers (MMRRC) may, under specific circumstances, share or transfer such materials— including mice, germplasm, and embryonic stem (ES) cells, etc.—to other researchers. These circumstances include formal collaborations between investigators on a joint research project, transfer to a third-party service provider, relocation to a new institution or laboratory (“institutional transfer”), or the transfer of research responsibility. However, in accordance with MMRRC policy, the original recipient must obtain prior approval from the MMRRC before any materials may be shared or transferred.

For additional information, please contact the MMRRC Customer Service Center at service@mmrrc.org.

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Circumstances Requiring Prior Approval

Approval for the sharing or transfer of MMRRC materials may be granted under the following circumstances:

• Collaborations: A principal investigator and/or laboratory member seeks to provide MMRRC mice and/or materials to another investigator for a joint research project. This may involve collaborators within the same institution or at external institutions, including international partners, and applies to both original MMRRC alleles and modified derivatives.
• Transfer to a Third-Party Service Providers: Organizations or companies providing services to MMRRC recipients, such as animal housing, husbandry, rederivation, or related support services.
• Institutional Transfer: A principal investigator relocates to another institution or organization and intends to transfer MMRRC mice and/or materials to the new location.
• Transfer of Responsibility: A principal investigator is no longer able or intends to discontinue use (e.g., due to retirement or death) use of MMRRC mice and/or materials and wishes to transfer responsibility for the materials to another investigator.

Each circumstance requires completion of a designated MMRRC Letter of Permission (LOP) and either a Conditions of Use (COU) or a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), depending on the specific strain.

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Process for Requesting Approval

To obtain permission for a collaboration or a transfer, the following steps must be completed:

1. The original recipient of MMRRC mice and/or materials must submit a Request to the MMRRC Customer Service Center indicating the intent to share and/or transfer materials. The request must include:
   • the name and contact information of the transfer recipient party
   • the relevant MMRRC ID and/or order number
2. Upon review by the ICSC, the MMRRC Customer Service Center will provide the appropriate letter governing the proposed sharing or transfer of MMRRC materials.
3. The letter must be completed by both the original recipient and the transfer recipient party and signed by authorized officials from both institutions and submitted to service@mmrrc.org before the transfer can take place.

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Special Considerations

If the MMRRC mice and/or materials to be shared or transferred include modifications of original MMRRC materials, both the original recipient and the collaborating scientist or transfer recipient must submit a Letter of Permission (LOP) signed by their respective institutions to the MMRRC Customer Service Center (service@mmrrc.org).

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Important Notice

Because they are not under the control of the responsible MMRRC archive, MMRRC mice and/or materials shared with a collaborator or transferred to a recipient are not subject to the same quality control and assurance processes. The MMRRC does not guarantee that materials obtained by a collaborator or transfer recipient meet the same quality standards as those distributed directly by the MMRRC. Accurate documentation and understanding of the genetic background of mouse models are essential for ensuring reliable and reproducible research outcomes.

MMRRC repository strains are maintained with well-documented, defined, and stable genetic backgrounds. This genetic integrity, combined with rigorous quality control measures, enables investigators to generate consistent and reproducible results. To uphold the highest standards and support reproducibility, investigators are strongly encouraged to obtain MMRRC materials directly from the MMRRC.

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MMRRC Materials Sharing/Transfer Process

Step	Question/Action	Outcome
1	Do you intend to share or transfer MMRRC materials (mice, germplasm, ES cells, etc.)?	No → No action required Yes → Proceed to Step 2
2	Do you have receiving party details (name/contact) and MMRRC ID/order number?	No → Gather required information Yes → Proceed to Step 3
3	Submit request to MMRRC Customer Service Center	MMRRC reviews and provides terms and required documents
4	Do materials include modified derivatives of MMRRC materials?	Yes → Submit LOPs signed by both institutions; no additional agreement required No → Proceed to Step 5
5	Complete required documentation (LOP + COU or MTA, as applicable)	Proceed to Step 6
6	Are documents signed by authorized institutional officials and returned to MMRRC?	No → Obtain signatures and submit Yes → Proceed to Step 7
7	Await MMRRC approval	Approval required before any sharing or transfer

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Terms

COU (Conditions of Use)

Terms that govern how specific MMRRC materials may be used, shared, and distributed.

Collaboration

A joint research activity in which MMRRC materials are provided to another investigator for a joint research project (internal, external, or international).

LOP (Letter of Permission)

An MMRRC form documenting and authorizing an approved collaboration or transfer as specified by MMRRC.

MTA (Material Transfer Agreement)

A legal agreement between institutions that defines terms for transferring research materials.

Modified Derivatives

Materials that have been altered from the original MMRRC-distributed allele or line (e.g., additional genetic modifications).

Original Recipient

The investigator/institution that obtained the materials directly from MMRRC and is responsible for obtaining prior approval before sharing or transfer.

Third-Party Service Provider

An organization that performs services (e.g., housing, husbandry, rederivation) on behalf of the original recipient involving MMRRC materials.

Authorized Institutional Official

An individual designated by an institution (e.g., contracts, sponsored programs, or research administration) with authority to sign agreements on the institution’s behalf.

MMRRC ID

The unique identifier assigned by MMRRC to a deposited or distributed strain/material.

Order Number

The identifier assigned to an MMRRC request or shipment that helps MMRRC locate transaction details.

Prior Approval

Written confirmation from MMRRC authorizing a specific collaboration or transfer before materials are shared or moved.

Receiving Party

The investigator, institution, or service provider that will receive or handle MMRRC materials under an approved collaboration or transfer agreement.

Indirect Sources

Materials obtained from a party other than MMRRC (e.g., another laboratory), rather than directly from the repository.

Strain

A defined mouse line with specified genetic characteristics maintained and distributed by MMRRC.

Allele

A version of a gene (including engineered variants) that defines a specific genetic modification within a mouse strain.

Genetic Background

The overall genetic makeup of a mouse line (beyond the targeted allele) that can affect phenotype and experimental outcomes.

Repository Strain

An MMRRC-maintained strain with defined background and documentation, distributed under MMRRC terms.

Quality Control (QC)

Tests and checks performed to confirm identity, health status, and/or genetic characteristics of repository materials.

Genetic Integrity

The extent to which a strain’s documented genotype and background remain accurate and stable over time.

Reproducibility

The ability to obtain consistent results when experiments are repeated, supported by accurate strain documentation and genetics.