Research Support Services

The following are recommended training selections for researchers performing working with rodents.  Ecourses can be searched for on the OpenCourses platform.

For those that perform non-surgical survival work with rodents:

• Course: Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM): Rodent Record Card eCourse
• Course: Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM): Rodent Analgesia eCourse (if work is Pain and Distress Category D, requiring analgesic use)

For those that perform rodent survival surgery:

• Course: Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM): Aseptic Rodent Surgery eCourse
• Course: Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM): Aseptic Rodent Surgery Hands-on Course (This is a wet lab with Aseptic Rodent Surgery eCourse as prerequisite.  Scheduling is done through OpenCourses platform)
• Course: Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM): Rodent Analgesia eCourse
• Course: Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM): Rodent Record Card eCourse

To request training for small animal (rodent) or large animal research support techniques (examples include handling, injections, blood collection, behavior, etc.):

Click here to fill out the request form. The training team will respond within 3 business days to schedule the request. If you have any questions about this form or trainings offered, please contact the Training Program Manager Cory Flintoff

Small Animal Services
To request research support services for small animals (rodent) including but not limited to, breeding support, oral or injectable drug administration, anesthesia support, blood collections:

Click here to fill out the Small Animal Service Request Form. CCM will respond within 3 Business days to discuss your request.

Large Animal (USDA-regulated species) Services
To request research support services for large animals (such as guinea pigs, rabbits, non-human primates, sheep, dogs and swine) including but not limited to, oral or injectable treatments, anesthesia monitoring support, and anesthesia equipment rentals.

Click here to fill out the Large Animal Service Request Form. All RAS level requests must be submitted by 12 noon the day before you would like the service performed. All Anesthesia/Vet Tech/Vet level requests should be requested 2 weeks in advance.

Rodent Genotyping Services
Genotyping services are offered through Transnetyx. Drop boxes or “Tag Centers” are in the following CCM animal facilities: 149-9, Simches, and Thier. Click here for more information.

If you have any questions about the above research support services offered or the request forms, please contact your Facility Manager or Veterinarian. 

Charms Reservation Calendar
The MGH Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) offers a user-friendly way for MGH Investigators to reserve CCM Charms readers and swabs used to validate manual sanitization practices of animal research equipment and spaces mandated by the IACUC.

The reservation system features include:

• Charms Reader Rental rate: $17.50 per hour. (2 hour reservation minimum)
• Confirmation emails are sent to the user after reservation is made
• Reservation reminders are sent via email prior to reservation time
• Only the user who made the reservation can change/delete
• The reader location rotates each week. Step one has a link to the rotation. Make sure you double check where you are reserving the reader from.
• Please remember to contact the facility you are reserving the reader from to ensure swabs are available.

Please note, you must create a user account to access this system. If you’ve never used this system before and need to create a new account, click here and then click “Create a new user account”.  You will need to use your institutional email address (this will be your login name), password, and full name to access the site.  Once you create an account, you can login to the reservation system and follow the onscreen instructions (in blue) to make a new reservation.  Users have until 30 minutes prior to reservation to cancel the booking or they will be charged for the time they have reserved.

If you have any questions about this system, please contact your facility manager. 

Click here to make a Charms reservation

Anesthesia Reservation Calendar
The MGH Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) offers a more convenient and user-friendly way for MGH Investigators to reserve CCM isoflurane anesthesia machines and associated hood / procedure space.

The reservation system features include:

• Ability to view current and future availability of all CCM anesthesia machines
• Confirmation emails are sent to the user after reservation is made
• Reservation reminders are sent via email prior to reservation time
• Only the user who made the reservation can change/delete
• Completed reservations & information accurately relayed to CCM

Please note, you must create a user account to access this system. If you’ve never used this system before and need to create a new account, click the link below to make a reservation.  This will take you to the log in page where you will click “Create a new user account”   You will need to fill in your institutional email address (this will be your login name), password, and full name to access the site.

Once you create an account, you can log into the reservation system and follow the instructions (in blue) to make a new reservation.  Users have until 30 minutes prior to reservation to cancel the booking or they will be charged for the time they have reserved.

If you have any questions about this system, please contact Zahara Yee.

Click here to make a reservation

The Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory offers research animal testing services for the MGH research community. Located in the Simches Research Center, the laboratory is staffed Monday-Friday, excluding MGH holidays.

Drop boxes for samples are located throughout the Main and CNY Campuses; sample transport is available through CCM. Samples must be dropped off by 1:00 PM unless prior arrangements for a later drop-off is made with the lab.

Available in-house testing services include hematology and blood chemistry analysis for most laboratory animal species using veterinary-specific instruments (Heska HemaTrue & DriChem7000) capable of processing small volume samples.

Click here for a complete list of available tests and prices. Please contact us for additional services that may be offered through established veterinary specialty laboratories and universities or for other consultation.

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The lab is closed on weekends and all MGH Holidays. Any additional lab closures will be posted here.

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What To Know Before Sample Collection:

• Sample types and required volumes are test dependent; refer to request form for requirements.
• When submitting more than 10 samples for chemistry tests, please give us at least 48 hours of advanced notice to ensure we have sufficient reagents.
• If you are unable to make the 1:00 PM drop-off deadline, contact the lab to discuss options
• Additional technician time (if required for manual processing, extra sample handling or transport, etc.) is billed at $55/hour.

Sample Submission Instructions:

1. Label the samples with animal ID, source (if swab), sample type (if not obvious), date and species.
2. Fill out and submit online request form here by 1:00p.m.
3. Place sample(s) into a biohazard bag with absorbent material then securely close the bag.
4. Print the lab request confirmation from your email then place it in the outer pocket of the biohazard bag with the Request ID # visible to the person picking up the samples.
5. Place bag into a CLEAN 2nd bag (keeping the Request ID # visible) and securely close.
6. Place into selected drop box at selected time.

Note: Results will be emailed within 1 business day for most in-house tests; samples requiring extra processing time or sent to outside reference labs may require longer.

Reminders:

• If submitting samples in formalin or SAF, parafilm the lid to prevent leakage and ensure that there is a formalin sticker on the container.
• If a cold pack is needed, place between the 2 bags.
• If dry ice is needed, contact lab to ensure proper packaging.

Drop Box Locations:

1. CNY 149 8th floor animal facility (before the NHP vestibule)

2. CNY 149-9th floor large animal facility (at the entrance near the center elevators)

3. Edwards 6th floor PPE vestibule

4. Simches 8th floor animal facility (to the right of the CCM TV in the main hallway AND by the back entrance)

5. Thier basement (to the left of the CCM Staff Breakroom entrance)

Laboratory Contact Information:

Clinical Pathology Laboratory Simches Research Center, 8836 185 Cambridge St. Boston, MA 02114 Email: CCMclinpath@partners.org

Amy Mikkola, BS, RLATg Clinical Pathology Laboratory Coordinator Phone: 617-513-3482 Email: amikkola@partners.org

Cryopreservation provides a permanent solution to archiving genetically engineered lines no longer being actively used, as well as safeguarding valuable lines in the event of a problem with the health or genetics of the line, or a major disaster. CCM recommends that researchers consider cryopreserving genetically modified mouse or rat lines as protection from catastrophic loss and genetic drift.  Further, this can be a cost effective alternative to housing lines that are not actively being used for research.

Rederivation can eliminate unwanted parasites, viruses, bacteria and other opportunistic agents from research colonies.

If you would like to request either of these services, please email CCMtie@partners.org for more information. 

Vendor Name	Cryopreservation Pricing Information
Charles River	Link