Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Knockout Mouse Phenotyping (U54)

Notice Number: NOT-RM-10-011

Key Dates
Release Date:  June 24, 2010

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov)

Purpose and Background

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), with other NIH Institutes and Centers (IC's) (National Eye Institute, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Center for Research Resources), intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applications for research projects to make maximum progress toward the goal of establishing a null-mutant mouse phenotype resource for each gene in mouse strain C57BL/6, for the purpose of elucidating functional information for each protein coding gene in the mammalian genome. The goal of this RFA will be to support high-throughput broad based phenotyping of mouse knockouts.

This notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. 

The RFA is expected to be published in the summer of 2010.

This RFA will utilize the U54 mechanism. Details of the planned FOA are provided below.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

Research Initiative Description

This Notice encourages investigators with expertise and insights into this area of biology to begin to consider applying for this new RFA. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in mouse phenotyping will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.

The mouse has long been an important mammalian model system for the study of gene function in human health and disease. Mouse mutants with phenotypes that mimic human traits have served as critical research tools in understanding the genetics underlying mammalian biology. Because of its importance to human biology, mapping and sequencing the genome of mouse strain C57BL/6 was carried out as part of the Human Genome Project. To complement the mouse genome sequence and full-length cDNA collection, a defined genetic resource that can be used to elucidate gene function is needed. To this end, NIH has participated in a large-scale international effort to produce a publicly available, comprehensive collection of mouse knockout mutants, i.e. a library containing a null mutation in every gene in the mouse genome (Collins, F.S., et al. Cell 128, 9-13 (2007)). The first phase of the proposed resource is on schedule to be completed by 2011 (www.komp.org), and attention has now turned toward implementation of the second phase. Thus, an RFA will be issued requesting applications describing programs to perform high-throughput, broad based phenotyping on knockout mice.

Inquiries

For further information, please contact:

Colin Fletcher
NHGRI
National Institutes of Health
5635 Fishers Lane
Bethesda, MD 20892
EXPRESS/COURIER:  Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 496-7531 Fax: (301) 480-2770
Email:  fletcherc2@mail.nih.gov    


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