In line with many of these themes, David Panchision, from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), discussed recent funding initiatives to facilitate cell-based research on mental illness, including those supporting technology development and academic-industry partnerships for developing validated assays. He solicited feedback on NIMH priorities for advancing the field, which involve investigators working together to: (1) implement centralized sharing of patient and reference cell lines with genetic and clinical data, such as through the NIMH Repository and Genomics Resource (https://www.nimhgenetics.org/); (2) arrive at common cell-line quality control methods and standards for validating hiPSCs and differentiated cell types; (3) keep improving hiPSC-based technology, including developing easier and quicker targeting methods, optimizing the fidelity of “in vivo” surrogate assays like chimeras and organoids, improving assay miniaturization, and scaling up to increase the number of individuals who can be contrasted by these strategies; (4) focus on robustness and reproducibility, which can include studying genetic variants of large effect from fully characterized patients and maintaining consistency and transparency in protocols/samples across labs; and (5) remain mindful of the critical value of collaboration and training and supporting the rapid dissemination of best practices (Panchision, 2013).
