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The Strain and Genetic Online Tissue Repository for Chronic Wasting Disease

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By Fort Collins Science Center December 5, 2025

The Strain and Genetic Online Tissue Repository (SAGOTR) is being developed by the USGS Fort Collins Science Center to document, track, discover, and request physical samples of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). SAGOTR connects natural resource managers, tissue repositories, and researchers in one online platform, making it easier to locate and share samples and support research and management of CWD. By improving access to samples and fostering collaboration, this work helps protect wildlife and the outdoor activities such as hunting and wildlife viewing that depend on healthy populations.

Media
GIF with maps showing chronic wasting disease distribution in North America prior to 2000 and yearly from 2004-2024.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

The Strain and Genetic Online Tissue Repository (SAGOTR) is a web-based platform being built by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center. SAGOTR provides a centralized online hub for documenting, tracking, discovering, and requesting physical samples of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). 

While it is not a physical repository, SAGOTR allows users to find, transfer, and use samples stored at participating labs and agencies. The platform supports collaboration among natural resource managers, physical tissue repositories, and researchers, helping to preserve samples, improve access, and advance CWD research across the United States.

Use Cases SAGOTR Supports

Media
three deer look into the camera, gold lighting, tall grasses behind the deer
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
  • A state agency manager with CWD samples who no longer has capacity to store them and wants to find a repository for long-term preservation.
  • A laboratory manager with space and equipment who can accept additional samples and wants to let others know their lab can serve as a custodian.
  • A manager who wants to make samples available to researchers on request.
  • A researcher looking to request access to physical samples for analysis.

 

Scope of Work

Media
Image: Elk Traveling
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

SAGOTR will provide a web application and database containing information on CWD samples, their location, and metadata. The platform will connect with other organizations’ systems and include functionality to:

  1. Upload inventories of physical samples available for research requests.
  2. Explore CWD data using interactive tools, with tiered access based on user roles.
  3. Submit and process requests to send samples to physical repositories.
  4. Submit and process requests to receive samples from physical repositories.
  5. Communicate requests and updates with lab members.
a lone male bison stands against a bright, white snowy background

Fish and wildlife science in support of heritage preservation, efficient decision making, wild ungulate management, and outdoor recreation

FORT researchers provide sound science to support the Department of Interior in its efforts to preserve American heritage, streamline species listing decisions and promote species recovery, manage wild horses and burros using efficient, cost-effective tools, and sustain hunting and fishing on public lands. This research is developed in partnership with resource managers from local, State, Federal...
By
Fort Collins Science Center
Fish and wildlife science in support of heritage preservation, efficient decision making, wild ungulate management, and outdoor recreation

Fish and wildlife science in support of heritage preservation, efficient decision making, wild ungulate management, and outdoor recreation

FORT researchers provide sound science to support the Department of Interior in its efforts to preserve American heritage, streamline species listing decisions and promote species recovery, manage wild horses and burros using efficient, cost-effective tools, and sustain hunting and fishing on public lands. This research is developed in partnership with resource managers from local, State, Federal...
Learn More
Bighorn sheep standing on rocks in a canyon

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids (elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer) throughout the U.S. CWD affects the nervous system in these animals and creates distinctive brain lesions. At this time, we have no treatment for CWD and it is fatal to the animals who contract it. CWD is caused by an infectious, irregular form of cellular prion protein. CWD can be directly and indirectly...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids (elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer) throughout the U.S. CWD affects the nervous system in these animals and creates distinctive brain lesions. At this time, we have no treatment for CWD and it is fatal to the animals who contract it. CWD is caused by an infectious, irregular form of cellular prion protein. CWD can be directly and indirectly...
Learn More
Map of North America showing locations of chronic wasting disease in red and tribal lands in grey.
Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.
Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.
Map of North America showing locations of chronic wasting disease in red and tribal lands in grey.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, in Relation to Tribal Lands in the Conterminous United States. Updated on April 17, 2025.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Map of North America showing locations of chronic wasting disease in red and tribal lands in grey.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, in Relation to Tribal Lands in the Conterminous United States. Updated on April 17, 2025.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Map of North America showing locations where chronic wasting disease has been detected.
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
Map of North America showing locations where chronic wasting disease has been detected.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Map of North America showing locations where chronic wasting disease has been detected.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
FORT Science in Action, Part 20: Chronic Wasting Disease research to inform wildlife management and support big game hunting

FORT Science in Action, Part 20: Chronic Wasting Disease research to inform wildlife management and support big game hunting

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease that affects white tail deer, mule deer, elk, and moose in the United States, and poses a...

Read Article

The Strain and Genetic Online Tissue Repository (SAGOTR) is being developed by the USGS Fort Collins Science Center to document, track, discover, and request physical samples of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). SAGOTR connects natural resource managers, tissue repositories, and researchers in one online platform, making it easier to locate and share samples and support research and management of CWD. By improving access to samples and fostering collaboration, this work helps protect wildlife and the outdoor activities such as hunting and wildlife viewing that depend on healthy populations.

Media
GIF with maps showing chronic wasting disease distribution in North America prior to 2000 and yearly from 2004-2024.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

The Strain and Genetic Online Tissue Repository (SAGOTR) is a web-based platform being built by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center. SAGOTR provides a centralized online hub for documenting, tracking, discovering, and requesting physical samples of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). 

While it is not a physical repository, SAGOTR allows users to find, transfer, and use samples stored at participating labs and agencies. The platform supports collaboration among natural resource managers, physical tissue repositories, and researchers, helping to preserve samples, improve access, and advance CWD research across the United States.

Use Cases SAGOTR Supports

Media
three deer look into the camera, gold lighting, tall grasses behind the deer
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
  • A state agency manager with CWD samples who no longer has capacity to store them and wants to find a repository for long-term preservation.
  • A laboratory manager with space and equipment who can accept additional samples and wants to let others know their lab can serve as a custodian.
  • A manager who wants to make samples available to researchers on request.
  • A researcher looking to request access to physical samples for analysis.

 

Scope of Work

Media
Image: Elk Traveling
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

SAGOTR will provide a web application and database containing information on CWD samples, their location, and metadata. The platform will connect with other organizations’ systems and include functionality to:

  1. Upload inventories of physical samples available for research requests.
  2. Explore CWD data using interactive tools, with tiered access based on user roles.
  3. Submit and process requests to send samples to physical repositories.
  4. Submit and process requests to receive samples from physical repositories.
  5. Communicate requests and updates with lab members.
a lone male bison stands against a bright, white snowy background

Fish and wildlife science in support of heritage preservation, efficient decision making, wild ungulate management, and outdoor recreation

FORT researchers provide sound science to support the Department of Interior in its efforts to preserve American heritage, streamline species listing decisions and promote species recovery, manage wild horses and burros using efficient, cost-effective tools, and sustain hunting and fishing on public lands. This research is developed in partnership with resource managers from local, State, Federal...
By
Fort Collins Science Center
Fish and wildlife science in support of heritage preservation, efficient decision making, wild ungulate management, and outdoor recreation

Fish and wildlife science in support of heritage preservation, efficient decision making, wild ungulate management, and outdoor recreation

FORT researchers provide sound science to support the Department of Interior in its efforts to preserve American heritage, streamline species listing decisions and promote species recovery, manage wild horses and burros using efficient, cost-effective tools, and sustain hunting and fishing on public lands. This research is developed in partnership with resource managers from local, State, Federal...
Learn More
Bighorn sheep standing on rocks in a canyon

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids (elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer) throughout the U.S. CWD affects the nervous system in these animals and creates distinctive brain lesions. At this time, we have no treatment for CWD and it is fatal to the animals who contract it. CWD is caused by an infectious, irregular form of cellular prion protein. CWD can be directly and indirectly...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids (elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer) throughout the U.S. CWD affects the nervous system in these animals and creates distinctive brain lesions. At this time, we have no treatment for CWD and it is fatal to the animals who contract it. CWD is caused by an infectious, irregular form of cellular prion protein. CWD can be directly and indirectly...
Learn More
Map of North America showing locations of chronic wasting disease in red and tribal lands in grey.
Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.
Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.
Map of North America showing locations of chronic wasting disease in red and tribal lands in grey.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, in Relation to Tribal Lands in the Conterminous United States. Updated on April 17, 2025.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Map of North America showing locations of chronic wasting disease in red and tribal lands in grey.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of CWD in Relation to Tribal Lands in the U.S.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, in Relation to Tribal Lands in the Conterminous United States. Updated on April 17, 2025.

By
National Wildlife Health Center
Map of North America showing locations where chronic wasting disease has been detected.
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
Map of North America showing locations where chronic wasting disease has been detected.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
Map of North America showing locations where chronic wasting disease has been detected.

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center
FORT Science in Action, Part 20: Chronic Wasting Disease research to inform wildlife management and support big game hunting

FORT Science in Action, Part 20: Chronic Wasting Disease research to inform wildlife management and support big game hunting

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease that affects white tail deer, mule deer, elk, and moose in the United States, and poses a...

Read Article
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