Purpose:
This Working Group (WG) was formed to promote the development of complete and accurate sets of reference germline IG and TCR genes, and to promote the accurate analysis and reporting of the germline genes that can be identified in repertoire studies. The WG works to establish processes for documenting novel germline genes and alleles and standards for versioned, inclusive databases. The WG also provides guidance on specific topics relating to data assessment that may be referred to it by the Inferred Allele Review Sub-committee (IARC).
Achievements:
- Finalized a formal process for depositing data associated with inferred novel alleles.
- Worked with NCBI and IMGT to establish an efficient process for the submission of inferred allele data.
- Produced a “how-to” manual for the AIRR Community that outlines the submission and review process of inferred novel alleles.
Goals:
Plans for 2021 include:
- Develop and seek ratification of universal principles for nomenclature systems that meet the needs of IG and TCR researchers
- Work to develop systems to document and report variation in non-coding regions of the IG/TR loci
- Develop appropriate IG Reference Sets for mouse strains and for rhesus macaque
- Establish an IARC focused on the review of TCR gene inferences
- Develop and benchmark tools and systems to improve capacity to fully leverage data types of the future, while maintaining the quality of References Sets
- Continue to work on questions regarding database versioning, programmatic access and licensing of germline reference databases
Members:
Co-leaders: Andrew Collins and Corey Watson
Members: Davide Bagnara, Pierre Boidinot, Felix Breden, Christian Busse, Scott Christley, Andrew Collins (Co-lead), Martin Corcoran, Victor Greiff, Jamie Heather, Katherine Jackson, Justin Kos, William Lees, Susana Magadan, Serghei Mangul, Susanna Marquez, Ivana Mikocziova, Mats Ohlin, Kerui Peng, Oscar Rodriguez, Cathrine Scheepers, Chaim Schramm, Jamie Scott, Amit Upadhyay, Henk-Jan van den Ham, Corey Watson (Co-lead), Kevin Wu, Gur Yaari and Jian Ye.
Resources:
Visit OGRBD, the curated Open Germline Receptor Database.
Visit VDJbase, a database of adaptive immune receptor germline genotypes and haplotypes.
Visit the Germline Database Working Group Project on the B-T.CR Wiki.