Genetic Resources
- Caluromys philander (Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum), Brazil. L. K. Gordon. © Smithsonian Institution.
A variety of mammalian genetic resources have been collected to be used for molecular or chemical analysis. Tissue is taken from live or freshly killed animals and preserved by either freezing, drying, preserving in ethanol, or preserving in buffers that do not denature protein or DNA structure. These tissues have been collected to be consumed and eventually "used up."
The loan policy for these types of tissues is different from the policy for tissue obtained by "destructive sampling." Destructive sampling for molecular research involves the irreplaceable removal of small pieces of tissue from museum specimens, usually from study skins or from skeletal material. Therefore a special protocol is needed to evaluate destructive sampling requests.
The staff of the Division of Mammals and associated collaborators have amassed a large collection of tissue samples for molecular research purposes. The majority of these samples have voucher specimens housed in the National Museum of Natural History. As a service to other investigators, tissue samples may be made available to qualified researchers who have specific requests. Samples have been collected from around the world with a heavy emphasis on Central and South America. Samples are either stored at -80 degrees C or in ethanol. All researchers interested in using tissue samples must adhere to the following guide lines.
Requests for Loans
All requests for tissue samples must be made by letter or e-mail. Requests from students must be approved (or co-signed) by their faculty advisor. Include a short summary of the research being conducted and the specific rational for the use of our tissues. Taxa, number of samples needed, and geographic origin (if relevant) should also be included. All samples will be sent in ethanol unless specifically needed in a frozen state (in which case the borrower will be asked to pay for dry ice and shipping costs).
- Informal inquiries may be made by e-mail to ascertain the availability of samples needed. At present there is no publicly available database for the tissue holdings in the Division of Mammals. Requests for tissues from North America can be sent to Suzanne Peurach; for non-North American tissue requests contact Jeremy Jacobs.
- Researchers requesting tissues are cautioned that all identifications are tentative and the Division of Mammals is not responsible for ensuring their accuracy.
- Researchers must acknowledge the TERMS listed below before requests are granted.
Criteria for Approval of Loans
Request for tissues will be evaluated and approved based on the following criteria:
- Scientific value the project
- Feasibility of the project
- Qualifications of the investigator(s)
- Evidence of sufficient lab facilities and resources
- Appropriateness of requested specimens for the study
- Approval of original collector (if needed)
- Amount of tissue needed
- Reasons why samples could not be obtained from the field or other institutions which may have superior holdings
Requests will be reviewed by divisional staff, who have final discretion for approval or denial of all or part of the request.
Large requests may be handled in small allotments.
International loans must follow all legal and permit requirements of the country to which the loan will be sent, including proper import permits and CITES permits. If no permits are required, then the researcher must state so in writing.
Terms, Return of Material, and Other Information
Tissue transfers are made under the following conditions:
- Samples will be used only for the purposes stated in the description of research. Samples may not be used for any research or purpose other than that stated in the original approved document without written permission from the Division of Mammals.
- No part or by-product may be loaned or given to another researcher or institution without written permission.
- Any portion of the sample that remains, or byproducts thereof, will be returned to the Division of Mammals after the analysis is complete. If no sample remains, a written statement to that fact will be sent to the Division.
- No commercial use of the sample will be made without prior approval. That includes license, or patent based on samples or byproducts, or any information derived from them without written approval from the Division.
- Copies of all publications resulting from the use of our samples will be sent to the Division. Publications that result from tissues obtained from the Division of Mammals must acknowledge the Division and incorporate any other acknowledgment required by the collector (this usually includes acknowledging the grants etc. that made the acquisition of the sample possible).
- Sequences obtained from Divisional tissue samples should be deposited in GenBank or other public genetic database after the research has been published.
- Other stipulations may be made by the Division of Mammals dependant on the specifics of the loan request.
- Loans will be closed upon return of unused portions or by submitting a short letter as to the disposition of the sample if none is returned, and upon receipt of copies of any resulting publications. Loans of tissue samples will be made for one year unless an extension is requested and granted.
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