Hello,
I've been asked to provide guidance to one of our researchers who is planning on retiring in the next 12 months.
He has physical records, digital records and data, physical samples and mouse lines. The mouse lines in particular are unique and attempts to recreate them could not guarantee that the new line would have the same insertion site or copy number as the original.
We have a policy which is fairly clear with regards to archiving the physical and digital records and data, but doesn't mention physical samples and mouse lines.
In the past, samples have been left in catalogued freezers, but with the rising cost of continued storage (and space being at a premium), we are now having to consider this carefully.
Does anyone on the list have experience of advising on retention and management of samples post-retirement? Also, is anyone aware of any funder policies which are explicit in this area?
Thanks,
Mary
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