About the Project
The genome of the Brown Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) was sequenced by the Rat Genome Sequencing Consortium (RGSC) led by the BCM-HGSC. (1)
This rat is important as a model organism for cardiovascular and psychological research, and has a legacy of decades of study of its physiology in academia and industry.
The BCM-HGSC upgraded the rat genome sequence through various activities. These include finishing BAC clones and selected other regions of the genome, adding long read data for gap-filling and sequencing of the Y chromosome.
In addition, a new assembly was produced that incorporates sequence from SOLiD data from the Edwin Cuppen's laboratory.
Early funding for the RGSC came from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and subsequent activities are supported by the NHGRI.