| ooks and Jeff Schloss [NIH National Human | | | | comprising three areas: sequence-production |
| Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)] updated the | | | | centers; specialized centers to sequence difficult |
| workshop on current projects and future plans | | | | regions or close gaps, for example, or test new |
| for NIH-supported large-scale sequencing. | | | | technology, methodology, and instrumentation; and |
| Third-year awards for pilot projects were made | | | | a quality-control center. |
| this summer after a review that included | | | | Awards are expected to cover up to 3 years for |
| sequence-quality assessment of clones selected | | | | specialized centers and the quality-control center |
| by NHGRI staff. Two checker groups reassemble | | | | and up to 5 years for production facilities. The |
| trace files, assess the assembly quality overall and | | | | network's goal is to complete 1.8 billion bp (60%) |
| at the single-base level, and then sequence to | | | | of human DNA sequence by 2005, a rate that will |
| resolve discrepancies found in the GenBank | | | | require 300 Mb of finished sequence annually |
| record. The original sequencer has the opportunity | | | | between 1999 and 2005. According to Schloss, |
| to review and respond to the evaluation. | | | | NHGRI will set aside $60 million a year for |
| NHGRI released an RFA in January for | | | | production sequencing. |
| participation in a cooperative research network | | | | |