Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center

CURATION AND INFORMATICS COMPONENT - PROJECT SUMMARY This component introduces the need to improve AGSC data management practices and efficiencies. AGSC operations will be made more efficient under a new data management plan that will enable multiple types of data to be recorded and retrieved electronically and remotely. A new website will be created to provide curated information about AGSC stocks, protocols for standardized husbandry procedures, protocols for pathogen monitoring, developmental and life history information to aid experimental planning, execution, and reporting, protocols for laboratory educational activities, and information to identify the best axolotl models for human disease. Web content will be redundantly linked to facilitate searching within the website, and externally linked to outside gene orthology, gene ontology, disease, animal model, and literature databases. The AGSC website will use surveys to obtain customer feedback about AGSC products, and services, and a discussion forum will facilitate community sharing of knowledge and data. Through these mechanisms, the new website will increase the visibility of axolotl stocks and establish the AGSC as a critical source of information for advancing axolotl research and educational efforts.