Tomato Genome Project - clone distribution policy.

Development of the tomato EST database is currently in progress and continues to be updated on a regular basis as new sequences are added. Our objective is to ultimately make available to the research community a complete set of non-redundant tomato ESTs. The "in progress" collection is continually updated as new EST sequences are added to the database. In some cases new EST sequences provide information that modifies the previous "in-progress" non-redundant EST collection. For example, when clones are found through additional sequencing to be chimeric, or when a new EST sequence "links" two clones previously thought to be unique. In short, the "in-progress" non-redundant set is expected to contain a considerable number of duplications and errors of various types. Once the sequencing phase of this project is completed (fall 2001) a final build will be created and a final non-redundant gene set defined. This collection is currently estimated to range from 25,000 - 40,000 cDNA clones which will be condensed, quality confirmed, and re-arrayed into a collection that can be distributed in whole - or can much more efficiently be searched for individual clones than is currently the case with over 25 libraries each containing 4000 - 15,000 ordered clones.

We realize the need for access by the research community to EST clones prior to completion of this project and thus have instituted a policy whereby up to 150 clones per laboratory per year can be requested on a subsidized re-charge basis through the Clemson University Genomics Institute (CUGI) which handles maintenance and distribution of the tomato ESTs and receives funding through this project to offset some of the associated costs.

CUGI received a total of $100,000 (apx. $80K in direct costs) spread over 3 years in support of clone maintenance and distribution. These funds have been used for a) purchase of 3 -80 freezers and service contracts to insure their operation b) support a half-time tech position, c) annual replication of all EST libraries to insure against loss of clone viability, and d) software upgrades used in clone request tracking and eventual public dissemination of all clone requests. It is important to realize that with 22 ordered EST libraries (each containing 4,000 - 15,000 ordered clones) tracking, localizing, and picking each clone represents a significant effort.

Up to 150 clones can be requested per laboratory per year at the subsidized rate of $5 per clone. An unlimited number of additional clones can be requested by any one laboratory in a 12 month period but at a non-subsidized rate of $20 per clone. This later price is in line with other clone distribution centers, such as the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), which recover total costs through re-charge fees. Cost recovery for the entire non-redundant set will be determined when said collection is completed (est. late 2001).

Clone requests should be directed to Dr. Michale Atkins at the Clemson University Genomics Institute (CUGI).

Publications referring to the use of clones resulting from the NSF Tomato Genome Project should include an acknowledgement similar to the following: "Tomato EST clone(s) XXX were supplied by the NSF Tomato Genome Project (DBI-9872617, S. Tanksley, G. Martin, J. Giovannoni, C. Ronning)".