CONTINUATION OF NIH BACTERIAL ARTIFICIAL CHROMOSOME (BAC) LIBRARY PRODUCTION PROGRAM REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RELEASE DATE: August 12, 2004 NOTICE: NOT-HG-04-003 National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) (http://www.genome.gov) Purpose: The NHGRI is currently assessing the future of the genomic BAC library production program that is part of the NIH BAC Resource Network (http://genome.gov/10001844) and is, therefore, requesting information from researchers about their awareness of the program, research for which BAC libraries produced through the program have been used, utility of genomic BAC libraries in general, and assessment of future needs for BAC libraries. Background: The bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) is a vector system of choice for the construction of the large-insert chromosomal DNA libraries that are needed in genomic studies. The BAC cloning system is more stable than other cloning systems and allows the isolation of genomic DNA fragments that are large enough (80 to >200 kilobases [kb]) to be useful for both targeted genomic sequence determination and for a variety of functional studies. In 2002, three centers were funded for three years (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-01-002.html) to produce genomic BAC libraries from multiple organisms and to increase the national capacity for BAC library construction. Both of these goals have been met. The centers were funded as a production capacity without any decisions of particular organisms (excluding eubacteria, archea and plants) for which to make BAC libraries. In order to optimally select organisms, the research community was asked to propose species and present a rationale for library construction. Organisms were then chosen based on criteria such as medical relevance and uses for which the BAC library would be put. Through this process 86 organisms have entered the library production pipeline. Library quality is continuously assessed using a standard set of criteria (http://genome.gov/10001738) including average insert size and depth of genome coverage. The libraries are also screened for contamination. Libraries are currently available for 36 species (http://genome.gov/10001852). Information Requested: This Request for Information is an attempt to solicit information from the scientific community to better assess the need for future BAC libraries. Information in the following areas will aid in planning future BAC library construction capacity: 1) Are you aware of the existence of this program and the opportunity for researchers to propose organisms for BAC library production? If so, have you contributed to a white paper proposing an organism? Would you consider doing so in the future? 2) Have you used a BAC clone or library (generated through this program or otherwise) in the course of your research? If so, what was the source and quality of the library and can you please briefly describe how it was used? Did it facilitate your research and if so, how? 3) Are there still unmet needs for BAC libraries? If yes, please list the organisms for which you would like to have BAC libraries constructed and state why these organisms are important to study. This Request for Information is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the NHGRI. The NHGRI does not intend to award a grant or contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or the Government's use of such information. Acknowledgment of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the Institute's evaluation of the information received. Responses will be held in a confidential manner. Any proprietary information should be so marked after each response. Comments should be submitted via email to BAC_Library_Requests@mail.nih.gov by Friday, September 3, 2004. Direct your questions to: Kris Wetterstrand, M.S. National Human Genome Research Institute 5635 Fishers Lane Suite 4076, MSC 9305 Bethesda, MD 20892-9305 Direct: 301-435-5543 Main: 301-496-7531 Fax: 301-480-2770 Email: wettersk@mail.nih.gov


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