About the PSI-MR

The PSI Material Repository (PSI-MR) was established in 2006 at the Harvard Institute of Proteomics (HIP) with the mission of providing centralized storage, maintenance and distribution of plasmid clones produced by PSI researchers.

For each clone, the PSI-MR collects detailed information including information about the vector, insert, and protein expression, which is curated by a PhD level scientist and is stored in the Plasmid Information Database (PlasmID; http://plasmid.hms.harvard.edu).  Each plasmid is sequence verified upon receipt and stored in state-of-the-art automated freezer storage that is linked to PlasmID.  Through PlasmID, researchers can search for and request clones in the collection.  PlasmID is also linked to the PSI-Nature Structural Genomics Knowledgebase (PSI SGKB), which facilitates cross-referencing of a particular plasmid to protein annotations and experimental data. Please see our slide show for more information about the repository and an overview of how to submit and order plasmids.

The second mission of the PSI-MR has been to simplify the Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) process, thus decreasing the time it takes for institutions to deposit or receive plasmids.  To achieve this goal, the PSI-MR pioneered two documents: the depositor’s agreement, which sets forth the terms with the depositor’s institution for the PSI-MR to distribute deposited plasmids, and the expedited process MTA, which institutions sign to allow their researchers to receive any plasmid from the PSI-MR without the burden of signing an MTA for each request.

See WHAT'S NEW at the PSI Material Repository.

We also have over 280,000 non-PSI clones in our collection, and accept non-PSI clone submissions. Click here for reasons why you should deposit your plasmids with us.

Upcoming Move

The PSI-MR is moving to Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute in mid-June. Dr. Joshua LaBaer, Director of the MR, will be the Director of the Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics. We will provide our new contact information and ordering website address in the coming months. While the MR is moving, the repository at Harvard will continue distributing PSI plasmids.