# Hybrid Rat Diversity Program

> **NIH NIH R24** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2020 · $769,547

## Abstract

The overall goal of this program is to extend the use of rat models for clinical translation through
establishing an animal resource and genomic dataset to facilitate the translation of laboratory
research to clinical relevance. Specifically, this project will develop the Hybrid Rat Diversity
Panel (HRDP) as the source of the animal models and baseline molecular and physiological
phenotypes underlying the National Rat Genetics Resource Program. To achieve this goal, we
propose the following four specific aims: 1) to establish the 96 strain Hybrid Rat Diversity Panel
comprised of 33 classic inbred strains, 30 HXB/BXH recombinant inbred strains and 33
FEXL/LXFE recombinant inbred strains, 2) to phenotypically characterize, maintain and
distribute the HRDP, 3) to complete genomic sequencing on the full HRDP and 4) and provide
data analysis, integration and dissemination primarily through the Rat Genome Database
(RGD). This resource will be used to study mechanisms of complex disease traits through
systems genetics by providing access to a renewable panel of inbred rat strains and biobanked
tissues, reusable phenotypic data, reusable genomic sequence and strain specific variants, and
the infrastructure to explore, analyze and visualize these resources through the HRDP Portal at
RGD. The HRDP will have broad utility to the scientific community through the genetic and
phenotypic diversity represented in the 96 strain panel used to study hypertension, stroke,
diabetes, cancer, arthritis, reproductive disorders, asthma, aging, alcohol preference, anxiety,
and exercise.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9923779
- **Project number:** 5R24OD024617-03
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** MELINDA R DWINELL
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $769,547
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9923779

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9923779, Hybrid Rat Diversity Program (5R24OD024617-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9923779. Licensed CC0.

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