Rigor and Reproducibility

Eight steps to Rigorous and Reproducible Experiments in Biomolecular Research

1. If using a core facility, consult with the core staff in the planning stage. Consult with a statistician if you need help developing a Power Analysis to assure that your results will be adequately powered.

2. Design your experiment with sufficient controls (rigor) and replicates (reproducibility).

3. Assure that ALL of your reagents (antibodies, cell lines, mice) are fully validated (see below).

4. Have a clear and detailed protocol (SOP) and data analysis plan. Assure that the protocol is strictly followed or that any deviation is well documented.

5. Assure that the staff or students performing the experiment are well trained and understand each step and the importance of performing them precisely.

6. Use only well-maintained instrumentation, preferably maintained and operated in a core facility with expert staff (see #1 above).

7. Document all steps, reagents, equipment and data analysis methods used in the experiment. Assure that the both the documentation and the data itself are properly stored in a safe data management repository.

8. Acknowledge all grants that support the core, the core (by name), and core staff in publications.

Guide to Rigor and Reproducibility in the Cardiovascular Physiology and Phenotyping Core

1. Consult with Dr. Aung Moe Zaw, MBBS MHSA PhD (Email: Aung-Moe_Zaw@med.unc.edu) before making reservations.

2. List controls (rigors) and replicates (reproducibility) to be included in experiments. Surgeries typically require 6 to 10 subjects per group for adequate statistical analyses. If for both sexes, 6 to 10 males and 6 to 10 females per group will be required. Based on the severity of underlying phenotypes, the survival rate for the surgeries could vary and more subjects could be needed to reach for adequate statistical analyses.

3. Genetically modified animals should confirm the genome modification using tools such as PCR amplification.

4. Survival, non-survival surgical, and other procedures follow the UNC Chapel Hill IACUC guidelines.

5. Core staff attend institutional, regional, and national conferences and trainings periodically.

6. Core staff have completed all required IACUC training for techniques we offer and are provided continuing training and education.

7. The instruments are properly maintained and checked regularly with the service providers and/or the technical experts from the manufacturer.

8. All publications and presentations that include data generated using core resources should acknowledge support from the Cardiovascular Physiology and Phenotyping Core. This enables us to obtain financial and other support which is critical for the

continuation of our services. You can send the accepted manuscript and/or published paper to cardiocore@unc.edu.

9. All publications and presentations that include data generated from core staff should acknowledge the staff’s name and the support from the Cardiovascular Physiology and Phenotyping Core. If the core staff makes a substantial intellectual and/or experimental contribution to a publication, they deserve the recognition as any other co-author. This is critical for the professional development of our staff.