About the LGR
The Laboratory for Genomics Research (LGR) is an academic-industry partnership between UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and GSK created to advance functional genomics research and accelerate drug discovery. Our aim is to deepen our understanding of human genetics using complex disease models, discover new targets, and create next-generation technologies at scale that will become future standard practice for the pharmaceutical industry. We innovate and industrialize CRISPR functional genomics to provide world-class technology solutions and research tools to UC, GSK, and the broader scientific community. For more information, please visit https://lgr.bio.
About the LGR Collaborative Project Program
The LGR enables collaborations between UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco investigators, and GSK to conduct innovative research projects in functional genomics and drug discovery. These projects are funded through LGR's partnership with GSK and focus on multi-year initiatives aimed at developing functional genomics technology and application projects. These projects bring together UC and GSK subject matter experts with LGR’s research team to pursue commonly aligned activities that benefit from a collaborative approach.
The LGR has developed models, molecular tools, and automation capabilities to perform a wide range of CRISPR-based functional genomics screens. As the field continues to advance, the LGR remains dedicated to evolving with it. To support this mission, the LGR seeks collaborations with UC investigators to develop and optimize ideas, prototypes, or pilot technologies that enable functional genomic screens.
Technology Areas of Interest:
The LGR is committed to the execution of functional genomics screens to identify potential therapeutic targets for human disease. Ideally, an application project has limited technology development requirements. Therefore, cellular models, assays, readouts, and controls should be available at the start of the project. The focus of application projects should be on scaling approaches and applying them to a functional genomic screen. The LGR has staff, facilities, and computational analysis capabilities to support these projects from start to finish.
Disease Areas of Interest:
Note: other diseases in renal, neural, and respiratory disease areas maybe considered, but at present time priority will be given to the human diseases listed above.
We recommend that potential applicants first contact the LGR UC Scientific Director and Program Manager to express their interest. This initial outreach allows for an assessment of the project’s scope and fit within our portfolio. If the project concepts align with our organizational objectives, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the next steps. Following this discussion, potential UC collaborators are asked to prepare a one-page white paper summarizing the project concept. The LGR conducts an internal review of this document before sharing it with GSK Research stakeholders to ensure alignment with their strategic interests. Once feedback from GSK is incorporated, a revised white paper is provided to the LGR Joint Steering Committee (JSC) for an endorsement decision. This endorsement is a critical milestone that allows us to proceed with preparing a detailed project plan. After the JSC endorses aproject, the LGR facilitates detailed project planning and contracting with the UC investigator and GSK lead. Final contracts are submitted to the JSC for approval. The process timeline varies by project, but it may take up to seven months from the initial contact to final approval.
Contact Information:
LGR UC Scientific Director: TBD
LGR Program Manager: Jorge Dinis at jorge.dinis@ucsf.edu
