SHARING BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Data sharing, including sharing biological materials, is an essential component of the scientific process. It allows for replication of studies; the ability to test a different hypothesis, or combining data from multiple data sets for new insights and research studies.
The actual transport or shipment of materials is subject to a variety of state, local, and federal regulations that control how the materials are stored, packaged, and shipped and have been put in place to protect public safety. For example, attenuated strains of high-risk pathogens that require Biosafety Level-3 containment are not only subject to regulatory requirements, they are also subject to Mass General Brigham Institutional Biosafety Committee requirements. Some materials, depending on with whom they will be shared or the country where they will be sent, may also be subject to export control requirements and/or require an export or import permit.
To guide PIs and their staff through packaging, sharing, and transporting/shipping biological materials, Mass General Brigham has put a policy in place, Transporting and Sharing Research Biological Materials, that collects, clarifies, and memorializes current processes and best practices. PIs are responsible for ensuring their research staff are aware of policy requirements and implementing them within their labs/research groups.
Additionally, an optional HealthStream course, Mass General Brigham Research Policy Overview: Transporting and Sharing Biological Materials, has been developed to assist the research community. It is recommended that investigators complete the training and review the policy before sharing or shipping materials. Completion of this training is not a substitute for existing required lab training, for example, IATA training.
BASIC POLICY REMINDERS
- Biological materials may not be shipped or transferred from a Mass General Brigham institution to an external research institution without institutional authorization, typically a fully executed Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA), negotiated by the Mass General Brigham Innovation Transactional Affairs Group (TAG)
- Researchers are prohibited from personally transporting materials in checked luggage, carry-on luggage, or elsewhere on their person
- Materials must be shipped via a common carrier (FedEx, DHL, USPS) or certified courier and packaged for shipment in accordance with IATA requirements
- If the recipient institution is located outside of the US, an export control review by the hospital’s Research Compliance Office may be necessary before the materials may be shipped to the recipient
- The Policy also includes information on transporting unregulated biological materials and Pathology slides
CONTACTS
General Inquiries: Ryan Schlimgen PhD
MGH: Kele Piper
BWH: Kelly Barrett
McLean: Kim Roselando
SRH: Monica Baggio Tormey
MEE: Maureen Dwyer PhD