Request for Proposals: Genome Sequencing of MGI Participants
Request for Proposals: Genome Sequencing of MGI Participants
Due Date: October 12, 2025
Proposal Maximum Length: 2 pages
Background
The University of Michigan is a global leader in large-scale investigations of the human genome and human health. With more than 90,000 participants to date and continuing to grow, the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI) at U-M is one of the largest hospital-based resources marrying electronic health record (EHR) data with corresponding genetic data, enabling >125 publications and many grant applications to date. However, currently only SNP array genotype data are available for MGI participants, restricting the types of analyses that may be performed.
More than 90% of MGI users consider adding DNA sequence data as the critical next step for the evolution of MGI. Thus, MGI–with the generous support of Michigan Medicine’s Vice Dean for Research, Steve Kunkel, Ph.D.–is performing whole-genome sequencing on DNA samples from up to 10,000 individuals from the MGI cohort. Sequencing depth will be 30x-40x and sequencing will be performed in the UM Department of Pathology, Division of Diagnostic Genetics and Genomics (DGG). The resulting genotypes will be CLIA compliant. Sequencing has started in summer 2025 and is expected to be completed in Q3, 2026.
About the RFP
The goal of this project is to provide modern genetic data to users of MGI to maximize scientific impact. However, there are many possible ways this goal can be achieved. Here, we ask for proposals from the UM scientific community on how to select the subset of MGI participants to be sequenced. The general properties of the MGI cohort are described in Zawistowski et al (2023; PMCID: PMC9932985). An initial round of proposals was submitted and reviewed, identifying ~5,000 MGI samples for sequencing. With this second round of proposals, we aim to identify the remaining samples.
Interested investigators should submit a 1-2 page proposal that includes the following information:
Clearly indicate how sequencing your sample will provide insights that are not available from genotyping and genotype imputation.
Provide specific criteria to select the MGI participants to sequence. Selection might be based on a specific phenotype or phenotypes, ancestry or other demographic criteria, or on some other feature of the participants. The proposal may employ the full capacity of ~5,000 samples but ideas for smaller cohorts are also welcome. Clearly provide how you can effectively identify the MGI samples you propose to sequence.
Describe how your proposal will result in high scientific impact for your own research and/or for MGI users more generally.
If the proposed sampling plan will support your own research, outline how you plan to analyze the resulting data. Provide a basic analysis plan and describe the personnel and analytic resources you have available to perform the analysis. Alternatively, if you will require help for the analysis, please describe what help you expect to need.
We are also looking for input to help identify the best proposal(s). If you are interested in being involved in evaluating the proposals, please let us know.
We will accept proposals until October 12th, 2025.