Genetic Resources and Information for Vision Researchers
NEIBank
A database of eye libraries and genes and proteins expressed in the eye and visual system maintained by the National Eye Institute (NEI)
Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR)
Genotyping and statistical genetics consultation services for investigators seeking to identify genes that contribute to human disease. NEI is one of twelve Institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that support the center.
Applications to utilize the resources of CIDR may be made through PAR-08-258 Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) High Throughput Genotyping Resource Access (X01) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-258.html. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HG-09-015.html for modified process information.
Knockout Mice with Phenotypic Data
The NIH has contracted with Deltagen Inc. and Lexicon Genetics Incorporated to provide the research community with access to approximately 250 lines of knockout mice which have been extensively characterized. Investigators who receive the knockout mice lines are free to publish any results from research involving the lines and also to seek patent or other intellectual property protection for any inventions and/or discoveries resulting from such research.
Mutant Mice
The NIH has funded the isolation of mouse lines with selected genetic mutations affecting nervous system function and behavior. These are available through the Northwestern University Neurogenomics Project, the Tennessee Mouse Genome Consortium, and the Neuroscience Mutagenesis Facility at the Jackson Laboratories.
Neuroscience Microarray Consortium
In collaboration with the NIH Neurosciences Blueprint Initiative, the NEI is funding a consortium of four microarray centers to serve the expression profiling and SNP genotyping needs of NEI-funded ocular neuroscience investigators. The consortium has multiple microarray platforms available and can provide advice on experimental design. The consortium has laser-capture microdissection services, as well as data analysis, manuscript preparation, and training support. If your research program in neuroscience would benefit from expression profiling or SNP genotyping data, please consider using the services of the Neuroscience Microarray Consortium (http://arrayconsortium.tgen.org). For further information, please contact the consortium coordinator, Ms. Sarah Brautigam, at arrayconsortium@tgen.org or (602) 343-8732, or Dr. Hemin R. Chin, Ocular Genetics Program Director, NEI Division of Extramural Research, hemin@nei.nih.gov or 301-451-2020.
Database of Genotype and Phenotype (dbGaP)
Researchers may request individual-level genotype and phenotype data. dbGaP entries include project datasets from the NEI-sponsored AREDS study, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-EY-07-003.html
NIH Policy for Enhancing the Science, Safety, and Ethics of Recombinant DNA Research
The NIH has recent published a policy reminder at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-096.html.
Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
This document address data sharing procedures, data access principles, intellectual property, and issues regarding the protection of research participants through all phases of GWAS. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-pfiles/NOT-OD-07-088.html and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-013.html
NEIGHBOR Consortium
The NEI Glaucoma Human Genetics Collaboration (NEIGHBOR) is a collaborative effort to collect primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases and controls to sufficiently power a genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants that significantly contribute to the disease. Approximately 2000 POAG cases and 2000 age, sex, and ethnically-matched controls will be collected. The DNA samples will be genotyped using a high-density SNP array platform at the Center for Inherited Disease Research and analyzed for genome-wide associations. The resulting NEIGHBOR genotype data and clinical phenotype, along with associated epidemiologic and environmental exposure data, will be made available to the research community through NCBI dbGaP.
NEIGHBOR participating investigators are:
Rand Allingham, MD (Duke); Donald Budenz, MD, MPH( Miami); David Friedman, MD, MPH, PhD (Johns Hopkins); Douglas Gaasterland MD (Eye Doctors of Washington DC); Theresa Gaasterland, PhD (Scripps Institute); Jonathan Haines, PhD (Vanderbilt); Michael Hauser, PhD(co-PI: Duke); Richard Lee, MD (Miami); Paul Lichter, MD (Michigan); Sayoko Moroi, MD (Michigan); Louis Pasquale, MD (Harvard/Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary); Anthony Realini, MD (West Virginia); Silke Schmidt, PhD (Duke); Joel Schuman, MD (Pittsburgh); Kuldev Singh, MD (Stanford); Robert Weinreb, MD (UCSD); Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD (PI: Harvard/Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary); Sepideh Zareparsi, PhD (West Virginia); and Kang Zhang, MD, PhD (UCSD).
NEI Workshop to Identify Gaps, Needs, and Opportunities in Ophthalmic Genetics
NEI convened a group of experts in the areas of ophthalmic genetics and genomic technologies and methodologies to evaluate needs and opportunities to advance the field of genetics of ophthalmic disease. The Workshop was held at Airlie Center, Warrenton, VA, on June 4-5, 2009.
The goals of the workshop were to:
1.) identify scientific opportunities in ophthalmic genetics that will allow researchers to capitalize on new genetic methodologies and genomic technologies, and 2.) establish both short-term and longer-term goals to move the field of ophthalmic genetics forward over the next decade; and 3.) propose strategies or initiatives to capitalize on these opportunities and goals.
