NIH KOMP Gene Nomination: Process for prioritizing genes
KOMP-DCC   KOMP-NIH

The KOMP target list, as of December 2006, consisted of 4,578 genes. It is expected that these all will have entered the targeting pipeline by September 2009. During this time, community and NIH Institute and Center input will be used to identify high priority genes that should be targeted first, as well as additional targets that should be added to the list. The purpose of this prioritization process is to provide targets of immediate interest to the research community. It is expected that the turnaround from prioritization to ES cell will be 8-10 months, depending on demand.

Thus, KOMP target genes will be prioritized based on the number of nominations received. One may vote for as many genes as desired, but may not vote for the same gene more than once. All votes will be tabulated and weighted equally, with priority scores being determined by the number of multiple, independent votes for a target. Nominations will be tabulated and reviewed on a monthly basis and the priority list for the KOMP centers will be adjusted accordingly. A new nomination may move ahead of older nominations if it has a higher priority score, unless the lower priority gene has already entered the production pipeline.

An additional written justification may improve the prioritization but is not required. For example, justification for a disease-related gene, pathway or gene family would be highly useful.

It is expected that the target list will be expanded as annotation of the mouse genome proceeds. In the near term, non-KOMP target genes may be added to the list. Non-KOMP target genes will be evaluated based on the amount of information and annotation available about that gene, and scientific review of the written proposal, which, for non-KOMP target genes is required. The proposals will be evaluated on a rolling schedule by members of the KOMP Panel of Scientific Consultants/Advisors and NIH program officers. Written proposals will remain confidential. Upon approval, genes not previously on the KOMP gene list will be added to the list and prioritized.

The nomination form allows one to indicate a preferred targeting strategy. The final decision on type of knock-out to be made (deletion or targeted trap) will depend on the scientific feasibility. In some instances, a specific request may not be possible to accommodate.