Helpful Hints for Working with the Core

Instructions for Transferring Mice into the Behavioral Core

FIRST – if you are a NEW user of the Behavioral Core Facility, please contact our Director, Dr. William Wetsel to discuss your project BEFORE transferring mice.

For contact information, click HERE.

  • Mice must be transferred by DLAR as all housing is DLAR managed/regulated (per-diems will apply)! 
  • All transfers require 5 business days, and DLAR does not do transfers on Wednesday or Friday unless conditions are exceptional.  Please plan accordingly!
  • If you have a special request for the transfer due to the delicate nature of your animals, contact the Core facility before initiating transfer so we can accommodate any special needs.
  • Please use the online scheduling tool (you will need your NET ID and password):

https://dacup.duke.edu/

  • From this link, select “Access to Online Request.”
  • Click on “Animal” in the top grey headings.
  • Click “Location Transfer” on the left sidebar.
  • Under “Duke PI from,” fill in your PI’s information and all appropriate contact info.
  • Under the “Duke PI for” heading:

If you will be keeping your mice on your PI’s protocol:

 

If you will be transferring mice to the core’s protocol:
  • Select your PI name and the appropriate protocol that gives you permission to use the mice in the Core facility (contact Dr. Wetsel,wetse001@mc.duke.edu if you have questions about obtaining these permissions on your protocol prior to transfer).
  • Choose LSRC as “Building For”
  • Choose LSRC-C021 as “Room For”
  • Under “Contact email” enter: rodri007@mc.duke.edu, christopher.means@dm.duke.edu (separate by comma)
  • If your mice are on a special diet, or require special handling or bedding, make a note of that under “Transfer Details” and notify Tikina Smith-Haddad, DLAR operations manager for the core (tikina.smithhaddad@duke.edu)
  • Select “Wetsel, William” from the drop-down menu.
  • Select protocol number A105-20-05
  • Default Fund code select 459-6367
  • Beneath the fund code, in the box labelled “Other Fund Code” enter YOUR fund code and the PI name associated with that code.  Failure to do so will result in your transfer being delayed.
  • Choose LSRC as “Building For”
  • Choose LSRC-C021 as “Room For”
  • Under “Contact email” enter: rodri007@mc.duke.edu, christopher.means@dm.duke.edu (separate by comma)
  • If your mice are on a special diet, or require special handling or bedding, make a note of that under “Transfer Details” and notify Tikina Smith-Haddad, DLAR operations manager for the core (tikina.smithhaddad@duke.edu)
  • If your mice require a special light cycle upon arrival contact Ramona Rodriguiz rodri007@mc.duke.edu prior to transferring mice (The Core housing and test rooms operate on a standard 14hr light/10hr dark spring cycle, with light onset at 0700hr DLST.)

If you have any questions about this process, do not hesitate to contact our Assistant Director, Ramona Rodriguiz at rodri007@mc.duke.edu.

Remember it takes 3-5 business days for DLAR to process, screen and move your mice.  The Core also requests a 5-7 day (minimal) habituation period before testing can begin.