[NHCOLL-L:241] Re: Accessioning and DNA sample query

[Ronald Eng]

Andrew,

> Firstly, we are wondering what to do with lots accessioned into our 
> fish collection which get split after arriving.  For instance, a lot of 15 
> fish come in to be accessioned.  However, 5 of the fish are cleared 
> and stained while 5 are turned into dry specimens while the other 
> five remain in the wet collection.  In your collections would these 
> three sublots retain the same accession or catalog number or 
> would they be given discreet numbers??  Are they in some way 
> cross referenced in your database?  I would be interested to hear 
> from anyone who has ideas as we are prsently considering 
> converting to a new database that can handle separate database 
> fiiles for the various parts of our collection i.e. wet, dry, DNA, C&S, 
> X-ray, image etc. and theoretically one could have the same 
> number for a lot, parts of which belong to each 'sub-collection' just 
> with a different prefix or identifying character.

At the Burke Museum, we use accession numbers to track accession
information. We also assign catalogue numbers to the specimens.
Conceptually, the accession numbers are assigned to the accession
transaction, and the catalogue numbers are assigned to the specimens. 

It is important that you maintain a reference link between the
accession and catalogue number sets.

> 2.  We are in the process of getting a DNA collection started and I 
> was wondering if anyone could help with some policy on the 
> loaning of such specimens.  Essentially a DNA specimen cannto 
> be loaned - it is a gift of material which will not be returned??  What 
> prerequisites have been set by other organisations in terms of 
> lodging DNA sequences or data with the loaning organisation or a 
> recognised gene bank in return for the use of material??

I am in charge of fossil material. However, there are parallel destructive
techniques that are used in paleontology. In my opinion, these processes
are transformations. The material is not returned; however it has been
transformed or translated. The material's inherent information content has
been changed to a more legible form. 

I would suggest that you request a copy of the sequence or any other
data that is obtained from analysis of loan material. Strictly speaking,
permission to use material in this way is not a gift, but a part of any
museum's role in the scientific community.

Regards,
Ron Eng
Geology Collections Manager
Burke Museum of Natural History
206.543.6776