title: GeneMatcher: a matching tool for connecting investigators with an interest in the same gene.
abstract: Here, we describe an overview and update on GeneMatcher (http://www.genematcher.org), a freely accessible Web-based tool developed as part of the Baylor-Hopkins Center for Mendelian Genomics. We created GeneMatcher with the goal of identifying additional individuals with rare phenotypes who had variants in the same candidate disease gene. We also wanted to facilitate connections to basic scientists working on orthologous genes in model systems with the goal of connecting their work to human Mendelian phenotypes. Meeting these goals will enhance the identification of novel Mendelian genes. Launched in September, 2013, GeneMatcher now has 2,178 candidate genes from 486 submitters spread across 38 countries entered in the database (June 1, 2015). GeneMatcher is also part of the Matchmaker Exchange (http://matchmakerexchange.org/) with an Application Programing Interface enabling submitters to query other databases of genetic variants and phenotypes without having to create accounts and data entries in multiple systems.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Nara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sobreira
authors.affiliation: FS Consulting, Salem, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schiettecatte
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamosh
mesh_terms: D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D010641:Phenotype; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D064878:Web Browser
keywords: Matchmaker Exchange; Mendelian disease; next-generation sequencing; variant analysis; whole exome sequencing; whole genome sequencing