Detailed Project Information

Cryorecovery/Embryo Thaw

Information you need to provide to initiate cryorecovery:

1. Contact exporting institution for information regarding the line you wish to import.
   • Obtain MTA requirements from exporting institution.
   • Contact Northwestern’s Technology Transfer Program to complete MTA.

2. Ordering embryos

   • CCM/TTML can assist in placing the order.
     1. Submit completed animal shipment form to CCM. Clearly indicate the embryo strain required and the number of aliquots (straws/vial/embryos) to order.
     2. Submit a completed TTML Embryo thaw Request form to TTML@northwestern.edu (Word)
     3. CCM and TTML staff will coordinate the shipment of the embryos once all the information has been received and reviewed.
   • If you prefer to place the order, be aware that it is essential that embryos be sent in a special shipping unit, a dry shipper, which is available through our lab. Embryos should be shipped directly to our laboratory at the following address:

   Attn: Maggie Blazunas/Justin Meyer
   Center for Genetic Medicine
   Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
   Lurie 7-125
   303 Superior St.
   Chicago, IL 60611

The cryorecovery process:

1. Frozen embryos are transferred to liquid nitrogen storage dewars and the dry shipper is returned to the exporting institution.
2. Embryos are thawed according to the instructions provided by the exporting institution, assessed for viability, and surgically transferred into prepared pseudopregnant recipient mothers.
3. Litters are born 19 days following surgical transfer.
4. Blood for pathogen testing is collected from the mothers when pups are weaned at 3 weeks of age; tissue is provided for genotyping if necessary.
5. SPF pups are transferred to your specified animal room.

Expected results:
We cannot guarantee the recovery of viable embryos from outside institutions. However, we have successfully recovered lines from the following institutions:

• JAX
• Charles River
• MMRRC
• RIKEN
• Taconic

Your responsibilities:

1. Obtain an MTA if necessary.
2. Transfer of animals: once pups are weaned and pathogen testing results are received, TTML will initiate the paperwork for the transfer of these mice to your animal room and protocol.

Costs and Services