Tissue and Destructive Sampling Policy

Requests for destructive sampling of specimens or use of 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 sampling or 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 a request. Unfortunately, large requests cannot be considered at this time.

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 should state so in writing.

Researchers requesting tissues or destructive sampling of specimens are cautioned that all identifications are tentative and the Division of Mammals is not responsible for ensuring their accuracy.

Researchers must acknowledge the terms and conditions listed below before requests are granted. Tissue and destructive sampling transfers are made under the following conditions:

• Samples will be used only for the purposes stated in the description of the 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.
• No commercial use of the sample will be made without prior approval. That includes licenses or patents 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 specifically acknowledge KU and incorporate any other acknowledgments that might be required by the original collector (this may include acknowledging the grants that made the acquisition of the sample possible).
• Sequences obtained from KU tissue samples must be deposited in GenBank or other public genetic database when the research has been submitted or accepted for publication, and those catalog numbers provided to us.
• Other stipulations may be made by the Division of Mammals dependent on the specifics of the loan request.
• Loans will be closed upon submitting a short letter as to the disposition of the sample if it is not consumed, 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.

If frozen tissues for specimens are present, they will be noted in the final column of a specimen search on our database.  Note that the column heading is "tissues present" and the specimen record will state either "true" or "false".