The NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository (HGCR) provides well-characterized, high-quality human cell lines and DNA samples for use in biomedical research. The repository, established by NIGMS in 1972, currently contains more than 11,400 cell lines, primarily fibroblasts and transformed lymphoblasts, and over 5,800 DNA samples. Currently, the NIGMS HGCR catalog also contains more than 50 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. Repository samples represent a variety of disease states, chromosomal abnormalities, apparently healthy individuals, and many distinct human populations.
The repository's primary function is to serve the biomedical research community by stimulating and facilitating research. The repository acquires cell samples from individuals affected by genetic disorders and from normal control individuals and establishes and distributes cell lines and DNA to researchers. It also offers certain on-demand custom services related to providing cell cultures and DNA samples. The repository is expected to stimulate research by encouraging investigators, through the easy availability of high-quality material, to try a new technique or to test a new hypothesis with human cells that could otherwise not be done due to a lack of access to an appropriate patient population. The repository is expected to continue to facilitate research by providing high-quality, uncontaminated, well-characterized, and clinically and molecularly well-documented cell lines and high-quality DNA samples to investigators at academic, non-profit, and for-profit institutions throughout the United States and abroad.
It is anticipated that, in the next five-year funding period, the repository will continue to perform essentially the same functions with several additions. The additions include:
- Sustainability planning - what are the long-term plans for achieving sustainable community access to the HGCR? Sustainability in the context of this resource refers to continuing, long-term access to the resource.
- Outreach - The NIGMS HGCR is expected to serve as a resource for the biomedical research community. Beyond providing samples, the HGCR should provide leadership to the community on biobanking best practices and maintaining a connection to the global biobanking community.
The successful applicant/organization must have a demonstrated track record of running an established biobank; recognized expertise in human genetics, cell culture, growth of iPSCs, and molecular biology; and experience in managing a complex resource, including customer service and outreach.
Scope
The work to be supported by this cooperative agreement includes six separate but interrelated functions:
1. The maintenance and distribution of the approximately 11,400 cell lines currently in the repository's collection, the acquisition of new cell samples, and the establishment and characterization of permanent cell lines from these samples.
2. The maintenance of the current stock of DNA samples for approximately 5,800 cell lines and the preparation, storage, and distribution of purified, high-quality DNA samples from additional selected cell lines in the repository.
3. The provision of additional genetic services and distribution of other reagents as determined by the awardee and NIGMS staff.
4. The enhancement and maintenance of a comprehensive computerized database providing detailed information on each cell line and DNA sample, and the provision of a Web-based electronic catalog that continues, at a minimum, to list in an easily accessible format cell lines and DNA samples and as much information about them as is currently available.
5. The publicizing of the repository's collections through dissemination of information by a variety of means, including publication of descriptions of the collections in relevant journals, paid advertisements, and other activities.
6. The dissemination of biobanking best practices and knowledge through outreach and engagement with the global biobanking community.
Carrying out the necessary functions requires the repository staff to have extensive and state-of-the-art knowledge of human genetics including molecular, biochemical, and cytogenetic developments, as well as an understanding of genetic applications of bioinformatics. To accomplish this, the repository staff must also have a strong record of being able to interact with the biomedical research community.
The NIGMS HGCR is known for the high quality of its performance. Assurance of the integrity and identification of the cell lines at all stages of their processing, the quality of the DNA preparations, the availability of complete and accurate information about the cell lines and DNA samples, and a high level of quality control in all aspects of repository operations are the responsibility of the awardee.
For more information, click on the URL to view the NOFO
Materials Required for the Penn State Downselect:
Interested applicants should send the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_NIH 19-002_2019 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- Name(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Primary Site
- Participating institution(s), if applicable
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Description (no more than two pages, pdf)
- Provide a succinct description of how the proposed work will meet the overall scientific goals of the research resource and the expected outcomes and impact should those goals be achieved. The specific aims should support the purpose of serving the biomedical research community through acquisition, maintenance, and distribution of high-quality human cell samples and DNA isolated from them to qualified biomedical researchers.
3. NIH Biosketches of PI/coPIs
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.