Mouse Phenotyping Request for Applications

This RFA sought proposals that aimed to comprehensively analyze the behavior of mouse models that have been generated with targeted genetic mutations based on strong human genetic evidence implicating them in autism spectrum disorders. The program prioritized a small number of mouse models including 16p11.2 chromosomal segment deletion, Cntnap2-/- and Shank3b-/-. To maximize the ability to make direct comparisons among mouse models, this request sought applications for systematic, rigorous and scalable analyses of behavioral phenotypes across multiple mouse models. Investigators were expected to test at least three genetic models in the same background strain (C57BL/6). In addition, investigators needed to analyze the behavior of one of the selected autism mouse models in a different genetic background, such as a hybrid background from two inbred strains. The data produced in this effort was made available to the research community.