The Mutant Mouse Resource & Research Centers (MMRRC) has again demonstrated its pivotal role in advancing biomedical research. A recent review spanning a decade has highlighted the significant strides made in citation practices for research resources, particularly in the context of transgenic animals and antibodies, with the MMRRC at the forefront of this progress.

Background
In biomedical research, resources like transgenic animals and antibodies are essential. Their effective utilization and tracking hinge on the accuracy and consistency of citation practices. Historically, this has been a challenge due to inadequate systems for tracking resource usage, leading to approximately 50% of these resources being not easily findable in academic literature.

The RRID Initiative and MMRRC's Role
The Resource Identification Initiative (RRID) has collaborated with journals and resource providers to refine citation practices to address this crucial gap. The MMRRC, a key player in this initiative, has been instrumental in promoting the use of RRIDs (Research Resource Identifiers) among the scientific community.

Key Findings from the Review
The review, covering ten years of citation data from five university-based stock centers, revealed:

• There is a significant shift in citation methods, with researchers moving from non-specific nicknames to more precise identifiers like RRIDs, stock numbers, or full names.
• This shift increased 'findable' citations from around 50% to approximately 85%.
• Notably, studies using MMRRC mice showed an increased adherence to NIH rigor criteria, as evidenced by the rise in the Rigor and Transparency Index.

Impact and Future Outlook
This advancement in citation practices, championed by the MMRRC, not only facilitates better tracking and reproducibility of research but also aligns with the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) emphasis on research rigor and transparency. The MMRRC's efforts reflect a broader commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of biomedical research.

"We are proud to be at the vanguard of this significant change in the research community," said a spokesperson for the MMRRC. "Improving the way we cite and track research resources is not just about better record-keeping; it's about enhancing the integrity and reproducibility of scientific research, which is at the heart of our mission."

For more information, visit https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.15.575636.