Performing Department
GENETICS, BIOCHEMISTRY & LIFE SCIENCE STUDIES
Non Technical Summary
Increasing amount of Rosaceae genomic information generated in numerous laboratories worldwide dictates timely development of a comprehensive repository for information storage, study, and dissemination. A conference to coordinate the development and integration of data into a central web accessible Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR), housed, maintained, and updated at Clemson University.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
In cooperation with many groups worldwide, US researchers have launched a major research effort to genetically and physically map the peach genome and to place on these maps as many ESTs as possible. These genomic resources serve as the substrate for identification and characterization of genes important to all Rosaceous breeding programs. In parallel to the development of these genomics tools, Clemson initiated development of a central genome database: the Genome Database for Rosaceae (http://www.genome.clemson.edu/gdr/), which can serve the Rosaceae community by providing up-to-date genomics information. Clemson has the unique opportunity to develop the database concurrent with data generation. One of the unique aspects of the Rosaceae community is the willingness to work together to develop such a central database. With the appropriate coordination of research laboratories, data can be annotated and archived in a single format facilitating creation of a central
worldwide repository. This avoids the problem of decoding and recoding the data from diverse sources worldwide, a very time consuming cost inefficient effort. To avoid these types of problems and to expedite the construction of a central database, it is essential to discuss and implement a data coding system that all can use. We propose the second meeting of the International Rosaceae Genome Mapping Consortium to serve as the means to update all the major Rosaceae researchers worldwide on the current status of genomics in Rosaceae, to provide information on format and structure of data files for a central database, and to discuss future cooperative efforts of individual partners. The objectives for the second meeting are to: (1) Update each other on the worldwide status of Rosaceae genomics efforts including, mapping of important traits in the different species, physical map and EST development, status of the Prunus genetic map database, and introduction of the Genome Database for
Rosaceae (GDR); (2) Discuss the cooperative integration of Rosaceae genomics data into the growing database housed at Clemson University and; (3) Coordination of future projects utilizing the data for gene discovery and characterization. This workshop will improve dissemination of genomics information on a family of agricultural plants of national, regional, and international importance. It is consistent with the 5 year plan of the Interagency (USDA, NSF, DOE & NIH) Working Group on plant genomes to advance bioinformatics and to foster new and innovative future cooperative endeavors through education and outreach. This workshop addresses CSREES mission because it will advance knowledge for agriculture, and through development of new technologies and better understanding and use of plants in the Rosaceae family, may lead to knowledge important for the environment, human health and well being, and communities.
Project Methods
We propose to hold a 3-day workshop at the Madren Conference Center and Inn at Clemson University with the goal of bringing together all the main Rosaceae genomics groups worldwide. The meeting is expected to occur in the spring of 2004 with Clemson University hosting an expected 50 participants from the worldwide community along with regional growers and extension specialists. The workshop will be co-chaired by Albert Abbott and Dorrie Main of the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry and Life Science Studies at Clemson University. They will serve as primary coordinators of all workshop logistics, including any publications and web postings resulting from the meetings such as the Proceedings, GDR user manual, summary report and an online newsletter. The conference will open with three plenary presentations of 30 minutes each to be given by: (1) Pere Arus of IRTA, Cabrils, Spain on mapping programs in Europe; (2) Doreen Ware of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on the
Gramine database and the lessons learned from the development of the model genome databases such as rice and Arabidopsis; and (3) Albert Abbott of Clemson University on Rosaceae genomics. Following the opening, the workshop will consist of three sessions comprising 20-25 oral presentations from consortium groups to summarize the state of Rosaceae genomics research, education and outreach. Specifically, the first session will allow participants to present the status of their programs and efforts in Rosaceae genomics. The next session will present and discuss the Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR), its structure, its access and highlights, and how to facilitate other groups providing information to the database through the use of a common format for the data. The final session will discuss future research, education and extension cooperative endeavors, highlighting potential new directions, technologies and tools. The results will be disseminated via an abstract booklet created in
advance for the meeting, which will also be available online from the GDR website. The meeting will be announced via an electronic mailing list created by the GDR team and an announcement will be posted on the GDR website. Furthermore, the conference will be advertised on the International Society for Horticultural Science and the American Society for Horticultural Science websites. Finally, the conference will be announced at the 2004 International Conference on the Status of Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes Research during the Fruit and Nut Workshop. Key members of the community have already been contacted and are supportive of the timing and content of the proposed workshop. Rosaceae scientists in general belong to a genomics community that is not typically well funded and therefore they may not have ready access to funds for attending an International workshop of this nature.