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

> **NIH NIH P40** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2024 · $299,828

## 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 organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephen Randal Voss
- **Activity code:** P40 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $299,828
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2015-03-01 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848778

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848778, Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center - Revision to Include Curation and Informatics Component (3P40OD019794-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848778. Licensed CC0.

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