Musculoskeletal Research Center Laboratory Use and Storage Policy

All NYU­HJD Orthopaedic Surgery researchers are welcome and encouraged to conduct studies in the MRC’s 15th-floor facilities so long as they adhere to the following:

Storing Specimens in Freezers:

1. Permission to store specimens in freezers must be obtained in advance from the MRC Director, from Dr. Kummer, or from one of the Research Residents.
2. Every specimen stored in a freezer must be:
   a. Double-bagged and completely sealed.
   b. Affixed with a label indicating contents, date of storage, study name (if applicable), and owner name.
   c. Logged in on the freezer door log sheet indicating the shelf on which the item is stored.
3. Notify in advance the Center’s Administrative Assistant, Jason Lee, x6567, mjsnlee@hotmail.com of specimens to be delivered to the MRC so that arrangements made be made for proper storage.
4. When ordering specimens, if possible specify delivery not be made on a Friday or on any day preceding a holiday, when lack or proper attention raises the risk of their deterioration.

Any and all items not stored in compliance with the above will be summarily thrown out.

Use of the Testing Machines (Instron, MTS), Dissection Room, and General Lab Area:

1. Respect all equipment and return all tools, glassware, etc. to their proper location at the end of the work session. Do not leave tools or other items out unless given permission to keep an active work area.
2. Because there is periodically high demand for use of the testing machines, check beforehand with Dr. Kummer or one of the Research Residents to verify their availability and functionality.
3. If a testing machine appears not to be working, do not attempt to fix it. Repairs to the Instron and MTS are prohibitively expensive.
4. Under no circumstances leave embalmed or fresh specimens uncovered
5. Dissection areas must be thoroughly cleaned and dissection materials disposed of properly after each use. Hospital housekeeping does not perform this function; the responsibility for cleanup of a work area is thus the researcher’s.

ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE RISKS LOSS OF MRC FACILITIES PRIVILEGES.