Xenopus Resource Development PI's Meeting
On the afternoon/evening of Sept. 16, immediately following the Xenopus Conference, we will convene a meeting of PIs to discuss the development of community-wide resources for Xenopus research. This meeting will be the starting point for producing the 2010 Xenopus White Paper, which will be used to communicate the needs of Xenopus researchers to the NIH.
The 2009 Xenopus Community White Paper produced several tangible gains: The NIH has now 1) funded the Xenopus Resource Center at Woods Hole, 2) renewed investment in Xenbase, and 3) funded at least initial X. laevis sequencing efforts. That effort has also resulted in the building of a coalition that has now submitted a grant to support generation of a Xenopus ORFeome. It is essential now to produce an updated (2010) White Paper for the next set of Community Resources needed to further support Xenopus research in the coming decade.
The goal of this meeting will be to generate a list of priorities for the 2010 White Paper. This list will be then be distributed to the broader Xenopus community for comment before the White Paper is submitted.
We encourage any PIs who are interested in investing their time in this effort to join us for this important meeting. It is essential for the success of the White Paper that we involve all members of the Xenopus Community, reflected in the success of the 2009 White Paper. We hope that all of you can attend and provide critical input.
The meeting will be held at the Conference center and there is no cost to attend (though an extra night's accommodation is likely necessary). If you would like to attend please send Mustafa Khokha (mustafa.khokha@yale.edu) an email to help us arrange logistics.