Research Tools

CHDI is continually developing methods, tools, and other resources for all researchers working on Huntington’s disease (HD). If you would like information about our compound testing program, please contact Larry Park. The Research Tools page summarizes what CHDI Resources are available to the community. It introduces the HD Community BioRepository a secure, centralized repository to store and distribute quality-controlled and reliable research reagents specific to HD research. A list of other relevant antibodies that are commercially available can also be downloaded.In order to assist researchers and clinical investigators who are planning clinical trials or studies, a Global Site & Investigator Database for Huntington’s Disease (GSID-HD) is under development. Once complete, the searchable database will contain detailed information on clinical site and investigator capabilities to help you identify research partners quickly and reliably. More information about how to register to be included in this resource is available on the GSID-HD page. HD research has exploded since the discovery of the huntingtin gene in 1993, with more than 8,000 scientific publications listed on PubMed. For those looking for a way into the literature, this link will take you to a saved PubMed search. You can also learn more about the HD research topics discussed at recent workshops and meetings by going to the Workshops page.

If you are looking for a specific resource or are interested in clinical tools and programs, please contact CHDI.

GSID-HD

The Global Site Investigator Database-HD (GSID-HD) is a searchable, interactive tool that stores information about sites and investigators that participate in clinical research for Huntington’s disease. By bringing this information together in a single accessible database, the HD Research Community will be able to coordinate more efficiently both multi-center clinical trials and smaller pilot studies. We expect that GSID-HD will improve collaboration among sites by providing comprehensive information about the capabilities at each site. It also facilitates the sharing of information and resources globally. Finally, this resource will help HD families wishing to participate in clinical research to identify the centers nearest them. To develop this tool, CHDI is establishing a registry of HD-capable clinical sites. To register, investigators and site administrators interested in clinical research for Huntington’s disease may complete an on-line survey. To learn more about the program or about this initiative, you may download the GSID-HD FAQ (as a PDF, 92 KB). You may also contact us here.

HD Community BioRepository

CHDI recognizes that the discovery of treatments for HD is dependent on the research scientists’ unobstructed access to quality-controlled and reliable research tools. Working together with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, CHDI has established such a collection the HD Community BioRepository (HDCR). The HDCB give HD researchers acces to DNA plasmids, cell lines, and antibodies useful for HD research. CHDI also plans to deposit additional reagents as they become available. Those interested in sharing their reagent through the HDCB are asked to contact Mithra Mahmoudi at CHDI.

Datasets

The linked Excel workbook below contains the full FPKM and count data, along with their associated sample annotations for the 6 month allelic series mRNA sequencing performed by Expression Analysis at the behest of CHDI.  The data consists of samples from the striatum, cortex and liver of knock in mice with CAG lengths of 20, 80, 92, 111, 140, 175 along with littermate control wildtype animals.  There are four animals per sex per CAG length totaling 188 samples (4 samples were removed for QC reasons).  Pair-end sequencing was performed to a depth of 40 million reads.  Alignment and mapping was performed using Omicsoft’s OSA algorithm against mouse reference genome B37 and genes mapping performed using ENSEMBL release 67.  For additional information on the quality control procedures see the PowerPoint slide deck linked below.

6 Month Allelic Series Data mRNA with Metadata 2014_2 (~85mb)

6 Month Allelic Series RNAseq QC

Commercial Antibodies

To reduce the time scientists spend tracking down commercial antibodies to wild-type and mutant Huntingtin, CHDI has prepared a list of those antibodies. Feel free to download this reference list (as a PDF, 84k). We update the list periodically, and welcome any suggestions or additions that would make this reference more useful . Please feel free to contact us CHDI.

Research Tool Registration and Submission

To obtain a Foundation ID (CHDI#) collaborators must submit a CHDI Foundation Materials Registration/Submission Request and complete the questionnaire. Please be advised that the submission of a completed questionnaire is obligatory and it will take a minimum of 10 business days to process. If you have any questions and/or concerns please contact the Foundation Scientific Director associated with your collaboration or alternatively you may contact Mithra Mahmoudi at CHDI.

Additional Resources

PubMed

HD research has exploded since the discovery of the huntingtin gene in 1993, with more than 8,000 scientific publications listed on PubMed. For those looking for a way into the literature, here is a link to a saved PubMed search.

Email Us

If you are looking for a specific resource or are interested in clinical tools and programs, email us.