Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center - Revision to Include Curation and Informatics Component

NIH RePORTER · NIH · P40 · $299,828 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

The Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center (AGSC) at the University of Kentucky (UK) is the only federally funded resource center that distributes laboratory axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum), a salamander that provides living materials in support of biomedical research nationally and internationally. Most notably, axolotls are unique among vertebrates in being able to regenerate numerous tissues and body parts. These include the spinal cord, limbs, jaw, retina, brain, heart, and tail, all of which can be regenerated at any point during embryonic, larval, and adult life. Also, axolotls are used by researchers that work in additional areas, including neurobiology, ecotoxicology, development, physiology, cell biology, genetics, genomics, and evolution. This is an exciting time for the axolotl community as it’s incredibly large genome (32 Gb) was recently sequenced and assembled. New and assessable resources are allowing cutting edge technologies like gene-editing and single cell RNA sequencing to be performed for the first time, approaches that are rapidly accelerating discoveries using axolotl models. Since 2020, 31 different axolotl-associated projects have been awarded by NIH with support coming from multiple institutes (NICHD, NHLBI, NIDDK, NIGMS, NINDS, OD, NEI, and NCI). NIH support is catalyzing advances in biomedical research through its support of the axolotl and the AGSC, increasing the likelihood that investigators will use axolotl models in the future. During the current funding period, the AGSC is maintaining and generating high quality, axolotl stocks that are needed by a growing number of NIH-funded investigators. Husbandry and management practices have been modified to increase availability of post-embryonic stocks. Also, new transgenic and knock-out stocks have been imported into the AGSC and cryopreservation methods are under development to preserve and more efficiently manage stocks. The proposed Curation and Informatics Component in this revision application will increase data management efficiencies. Specifically, multiple types of data, including animal and environmental data, will be managed within a software package that enables mobile data entry and retrieval. A second objective of the Curation and Informatics Component is to better serve and interface with AGSC stakeholders. A research software designer will be recruited to manage the AGSC website and overall data management plan, and a curator / outreach coordinator will be recruited to develop new website content and to interface with axolotl stakeholders. Overall, the project will increase the AGSCs impact in biomedical research and education, ensuring the distribution and long-term sustainability of axolotl resources to NIH-funded investigators.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10848778
Project number
3P40OD019794-10S1
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Principal Investigator
Stephen Randal Voss
Activity code
P40
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$299,828
Award type
3
Project period
2015-03-01 → 2025-02-28