Gene Scoring Initiative of AutDB

AutDB curates genes associated with ASD, including both rare mutations and common variants. With the increase in the number of genes linked to ASD, it is necessary to evaluate the strength of the evidence linking a gene to the disorder. A list of strong candidate genes can be prioritized for further investigation.

A Gene Scoring initiative was launched by the Simons Foundation to assess the ASD candidate genes based on a set of standardized annotation rules. The gene assessment results will be integrated in the form of Gene Score Cards to show the scores and the evidence in a graphical user interface for the ASD-linked genes.

The founding members for this initiative included Alan Packer of the Simons Foundation and Sharmila Banerjee Basu of MindSpec Inc. An expert panel of six Advisors joined efforts to assess the 203 genes curated in AutDB at that time [May, 2010]. External panel members included Laurie Weiss, Dan Arking, Dan Campbell, Brett Abrahams, Heather Mefford and Eric Morrow.