HSCI investigators at MGH will now have expedited access to mouse models made by the Genome Modification Facility (GMF). This is what Steven Niemi, DVM, Director of the Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) at MGH announced in a recent email after completing an extensive review of the pathogen monitoring process at the Harvard facilities and the GMF. By adopting the Express Quarantine process, MGH will move GMF mice into their barrier facilities by 6 weeks of age, which effectively will eliminate any delays in setting up research colonies.

Reporting on the news, David Scadden, MD, Co-Director of the HSCI and Director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at MGH said: "Many weeks of delay and therefore a major hurdle with using the GMF have been eliminated. MGH scientists can now take full advantage of all the superb resources of the GMF without penalty and I applaud all those involved for their thoughtful, helpful approach to achieving this milestone."

Transgenic and mutant mice generated by the GMF have routinely been transferred to all Harvard facilities and the Brigham and Women's Hospital without quarantine requirements. However, mice slated for transfer to the other Harvard-affiliated hospitals have all been subject to standard quarantine of 8 to 9 weeks after weaning and transfer, in effect delaying breeding by almost 2 months.

The Express Quarantine process is very good news not only for HSCI investigators at MGH, but also the GMF which hopes to be able to attract an increasing number of service projects from MGH investigators in the future. For specific services offered by the Genome Modification Facility, please check the GMF website at http://www.mcb.harvard.edu/Resources/Facilities/GMF/index.html or contact the GMF Director,  Manfred Baetscher at mbaetscher@mcb.harvard.edu