# A Resource Center for Tetrahymena Thermophila

> **NIH NIH P40** · CORNELL UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $218,648

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
 Over the past 60 years, the ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena thermophila, has had major impact on
eukaryotic cell and molecular biology yielding fundamentally important discoveries with direct relevance to
human health. In recognition of its contributions to basic and applied research, Tetrahymena was one of the first
model organisms chosen by the NIH for whole genome sequencing in 2003. In 2005, the National Center for
Research Resources (now Office of Research Infrastructure Programs) provided funding for the creation of a
Tetrahymena Stock Center at Cornell University in order to: 1) preserve existing strains; 2) provide a safe haven
for the many new strains that were rapidly being developed in the genomics and post-genomics eras; and, 3)
disseminate those strains to interested users nationwide. In 2009, the Stock Center assumed control of the
Tetrahymena Genome Database (TGD) at Bradley University. TGD is a community-annotated genome database
that serves as the main repository for sequence information from the T. thermophila macronuclear and
micronuclear genomes. Together, the Tetrahymena Stock Center and TGD serve indispensable functions for
the ciliate research community providing live cultures and a host of other projects and services to hundreds of
investigators in this country and abroad. Here we are requesting continued funding for the Stock Center in order
to preserve the resource, expand its products and services, and make live cultures of T. thermophila available
to interested users at reasonable cost. A major part of that effort will involve the development of innovative,
video-based marketing tools that will increase awareness of Stock Center activities and enhance cost recovery.
Additionally, to improve the overall function of TGD and save money in the long-term, we will migrate the data
currently housed at Bradley University to the NSF-funded National Center for Genome Analysis Support
(NCGAS) at Indiana University, and redesign the TGD website. Finally, with the long-term sustainability of the
Stock Center as a major goal, we propose to move the Stock Center in its entirety to Washington University in
St. Louis where Dr. Douglas Chalker will take over its leadership and replace the current director, Dr. Theodore
Clark, who plans to retire within 5 years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10134867
- **Project number:** 5P40OD010964-17
- **Recipient organization:** CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** THEODORE G CLARK
- **Activity code:** P40 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $218,648
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2004-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10134867

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10134867, A Resource Center for Tetrahymena Thermophila (5P40OD010964-17). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10134867. Licensed CC0.

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