New micropublication available! Genetic diversity estimates for the CITP screening panel

The Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP) was founded on the principle that compounds with positive effects across a genetically diverse test-set should have an increased probability of engaging conserved biochemical pathways with mammalian translational potential. To fulfill its mandate, the CITP uses a genetic diversity panel of Caenorhabditis strains for assaying longevity effects of candidate compounds. The panel comprises 22 strains from three different species, collected globally, to achieve inter-population genetic diversity. In a new micropublication (link) we present estimates of the genetic diversity encapsulated by the constituent strains in the panel based on their most recently published and publicly available whole-genome sequences, as well as two newly generated genomic data sets. While the diversity panel was established by the CITP for studying longevity interventions, the panel may prove useful for the broader research community when seeking broadly efficacious interventions for any phenotype with potential genetic background effects.