Fig. 1: The RDMM-Europe model-matchmaking pipeline.
From: Model matchmaking via the Solve-RD Rare Disease Models & Mechanisms Network (RDMM-Europe)
a) Steps for the application and selection process managed by the RDMM-Europe Office and the two selection committees. b) From 2019 to 2022 the RDMM-Europe Office opened 10 calls for connection applications and received a total of 65 proposals. All connection applications were reviewed by the Clinical Advisory Committee (CAC) which either approved (n=40), rejected (n=10) or requested to revise (n=15) the proposals. The RDMM-Europe Office opened a call for tender for 39 of the approved connection applications and invited in total 178 model organism investigators (MOI), of which 73 submitted a seeding grant application. Those seeding grant applications covered 39 of the genes that were approved for functional validation by the RDMM program. The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) evaluated all 73 seeding grant applications and approved 36 proposals for funding. For one approved candidate gene, the clinical group withdrew their original validation request. Two other validation requests were rejected by the SAC. For three projects, subcontracting subsequently failed, resulting in a total of 33 funded projects.
