Microbial Genome Sequencing Centers

Request Process

NIAID will only accept and review white papers to sequence microorganisms or their invertebrate vector of infectious diseases that are considered agents of bioterrorism or cause emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases and related strains or species. Comparative genomics sequencing projects are encouraged that are not hypothesis driven projects, predominately DNA sequencing and generate genomic data for the broad scientific community.

NIAID will not accept unsolicited grant applications for large-scale DNA sequencing projects for microorganisms and invertebrate vectors of disease, including NIH cooperative agreement grant applications, which is a change in NIAID policy, effective December 2003.

Investigators wishing to apply for support to sequence an organism not described above must do so in the context of an investigator-initiated, hypothesis-driven, unsolicited research project application (R01), subject to standard NIH acceptance and peer-review procedures. NIAID will only accept such applications for review that contain a substantial research component beyond genome sequencing.

Submitting Requests

• Strong and clear justification for the sequencing of the organism or group of organisms is to be given. This should include biomedical importance for infectious diseases; disease burden; advancement of the understanding of organisms considered agents of bioterrorism or those causing emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; and improvement of strategies for developing therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics.
• Evidence that the genome sequence is not already under development for unrestricted, public access to the scientific community should be demonstrated. Sequencing of strains already funded by other agencies or organizations should not be proposed unless the sequence information from these projects is incomplete or will not be in the public domain. If one strain of a species has been or is being sequenced, strong justification for sequencing additional strains will be required.
• Indicate the relevant scientific community's depth of interest in having the sequence of this organism or group of organisms sequenced. Describe the collaboration and consultation with the appropriate scientists for sequencing the organism or group of organisms, since the genome data will be a research resource for the scientific community.
• Describe how the sequencing project will be managed, including the key personnel who will interact with NIAID and the MSCs as well as the time commitment for those individuals.
• Describe the utility of the new genome sequence and the size of the scientific community who will use the sequence. Discuss the readiness of the scientific community to use this genome sequence.
• Address the suitability of the organism for experimentation (i.e., the genetic manipulability of the organism). Discuss other research resources and technologies that will allow the new sequence data to be used effectively and rapidly.
• State the rationale for the sequencing strategy, including the need for a complete or partial sequence.
• Discuss the completeness of the sequencing. Sequencing projects will be considered for complete, finished genome sequence as well as other levels of sequence coverage. The choice and justification of complete versus draft sequence is likely to depend on the nature and scope of the proposed project.
• Discuss resources available for the proposed sequencing project, such as BAC libraries, ESTs, cDNAs, or others.
• An investigator or group of investigators submitting a white paper is/are encouraged to contact one of the NIAID Microbial Sequencing Centers (MSCs) to discuss the sequencing strategy. Contact by e-mail: the J. Craig Venter Institute (non-government link) or the Broad Institute (non-government link). This initial contact with the NIAID MSC should not be considered binding. Once the sequencing project is reviewed and selected, NIAID will select the MSC to perform the sequencing.
• A detailed plan for sequencing the organism or group of organisms will be finalized only after selection of the organisms for sequence in consultation with the NIAID MSC and NIAID.
• Address the availability of the DNA for sequencing and of the strain for depositing in a repository site designated by NIAID. Identify the source of DNA, justify the strain selected, and discuss strategies for obtaining sufficient quality and quantity of DNA for sequencing.
• State the availability of other funding sources for the sequencing project, especially for larger microorganisms or invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases.
• The white paper should not exceed ten pages and should be sent via e-mail to Dr. Maria Giovanni in the NIAID Genomics Program or faxed to 301-480-4528.
• White papers can be submitted through 2008.