No abstract

The MGC Project Team 1Since its start, the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) has sought to provide at least one full-protein-coding sequence cDNA clone for every human and mouse gene with a RefSeq transcript, and at least 6200 rat genes. The MGC cloning effort initially relied on random expressed sequence tag screening of cDNA libraries. Here, we summarize our recent progress using directed RT-PCR cloning and DNA synthesis. The MGC now contains clones with the entire protein-coding sequence for 92% of human and 89% of mouse genes with curated RefSeq (NM-accession) transcripts, and for 97% of human and 96% of mouse genes with curated RefSeq transcripts that have one or more PubMed publications, in addition to clones for more than 6300 rat genes. These high-quality MGC clones and their sequences are accessible without restriction to researchers worldwide.

The All of Us Research Program, a health and genetics epidemiologic data collection, has been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the program is highly digital in nature, certain aspects of the data collection require in-person interaction between staff and participants. Before the pandemic, the program was enrolling approximately 12,500 participants per month at more than 400 clinic sites. In March 2020, all in-person activity at sites and by engagement partners was paused to develop processes and procedures for in-person activities that incorporate strict safety protocols because of the pandemic. In addition, the program adopted new data collection methodologies to reduce the need for in-person activities. Through February 2022, 224 clinic sites have reactivated in-person activity, and all enrollment and engagement partners have adopted new data collection methodologies that can be completed remotely. As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the program continues to require safety procedures for in-person activity and continues to generate and pilot methodologies that reduce risk and make it easier for participants to provide information.