TROPLIST: U.S. Xenopus Resource Center Proposal: your input needed!

[Robert M. Grainger]

Dear fellow Xenopus researchers,
 	An extraordinary opportunity has materialized to develop a Xenopus 
Stock Center in the US.  In order to realize this possibility, we need 
your input and support.
 	 In the past few months the possibility of establishing a stock 
center has taken on new life since the administration of the MBL has 
endorsed plans to house the Stock Center at Woods Hole.  In order to 
pursue that opportunity, we approached officials at the NIH who expressed 
enthusiasm and have given the required permission to apply for a P40 grant 
to establish such a center.  While not an assurance that a proposal would 
be funded, any positive sign from NIH in these times is encouraging.
 	In order to take advantage of this prospect, three of us (Richard 
Harland, Mustafa Khokha and I) have begun to prepare a P40 application.  A 
primary aim of course would be to house stocks of X. laevis and X. 
tropicalis, including providing healthy wildtype animals for 
investigators.  In addition we would like to see this center become a 
focus of intellectual activity for the Xenopus community, including 
potentially a transgenic facility, where such animals might be produced, a 
genetic resource, where mutagenized animals would be available for both 
forward and reverse genetic experiments, and to serve as a training 
facility where investigators might learn to apply these new technical 
approaches/methods in their own labs; the latter could involve a series of 
mini-courses.  At present, many cell biologists use Xenopus laevis at Woods
Hole in the summer, much of this for cell cycle and cytoskeletal work, and 
we envision this center as being able to support increased use.   Also, 
the Embryology course at Woods Hole introduces students to Xenopus and 
would synergize well with the proposed center.  In addition, we envision a 
center in which researchers would be encouraged to visit Woods Hole to 
undertake their own experiments and share new developments.
 	A tentative plan for managing the proposed resource center has 
been developed.  A steering committee has been put in place to oversee the 
planning process which includes the three of us, Jim Maller, Rebecca 
Heald, Chris Wylie and Kris Kroll.  We have identified a potential 
director, Dr. Jonathan Henry, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology 
at the University of Illinois.  Jon has a well-established research 
program examining lens development and regeneration in Xenopus, and 
extensive experience with both X. laevis and X. tropicalis.  In addition 
he has a long-standing connection with Woods Hole which would be very 
advantageous in setting up and managing such a facility.  Data regarding 
various lines and other resources would be included in Xenbase, which 
would be a major portal for information about the center. Gary Borisy, 
Director of the MBL, enthusiastically supports formation of the center and 
has committed appropriate space and facilities.
 	We write today to announce this endeavor and to seek your input 
regarding what you would like to see at the proposed center.  During early 
April, after we hear your responses, a survey will be distributed to 
provide detailed data for the grant application regarding what kinds of 
lines, facilities and programs should be in the center, and as the grant 
deadline nears, letters of support will be requested from the community.
 	At this juncture, please send your comments to us at the following 
email address:  rmglab@virginia.edu.  Thoughtful and detailed input and 
support from the research community will be required to make this a 
successful proposal.

 					Rob Grainger
 					Richard Harland
 					Mustafa Khokha