Progress 12/15/06 to 12/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The genomics revolution and the Land Grant University mission are converging to generate new knowledge and create new opportunities important to our national agricultural R&D portfolio. Genomics research is well established in most of our basic agricultural laboratories. New knowledge is being generated with limited scientific exchanges across discipline boundaries, commodity interests, or target species. In addition, relatively little genomics research in agriculture is reaching the applied scientists and stakeholders that represent the next links in the scientific discovery/technology development/implementation chain. A committee of recognized leaders in molecular biology and genomics organized a national conference with a program designed to share information, explore collaborations, and identify future research needs where genomics and agriculture intersect. The objective was to promote synergisms across disciplines, commodities, and species. The ultimate goal of the
conference was to identify emerging trends in the application of genomics in agriculture. Expected outcomes included increased awareness, better communications and interactions, and a greater collective view of opportunities and possibilities regarding for genomics in agriculture. The conference was held at Purdue University from September 10-12, 2007 with 242 participants from 33 universities (24 LGUs), 7 research institutes, 9 companies and 2 USDA agencies in attendance. Participants heard presentations from 20 leading scientists on model and non-model plant pathogens, arthropods, plants, animals and ecological systems spread over concurrent sessions that addressed the following themes: 1) Transition from Model to Agricultural Species, 2) Integrating Information Across Databases, and 3) Translational Challenges and Successes. The final session was a roundtable discussion with leaders from land grant universities, commodity groups, and ag industries focused on the next steps in
agricultural genomics. Attendees at the conference also presented forty-three posters on a wide range of topics concerning genomics in agriculture.
PARTICIPANTS: The PI (Steve Yaninek) and Co-PIs (Andrew DeWoody, Catherine HIll, Scott Jackson, Barry Pittendrigh, Mike Scharf, and Jeff Stuart) were all members of the conference steering committee. A complete list of the conference steering committee members is listed below. Other staff who were critical in the implementation of the conference included Paula Layden (Department of Entomology Administrative Services), Angie Sigo (Department of Entomology General Services), plus a mix of administrative and IT support staff and student helpers. Steering Committee - The steering committee initiated the conference concept and worked with the organizing committee to finalize the program, topics and speakers. This group provided local arrangements support e.g. established the conference website, publicity, periodic announcements, registration, accommodation information, and other meeting logistics. Dr. Steve Yaninek served as primary contact for this group. Steering committee members
included: Dr. Andrew DeWoody, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Dr. Catherine Hill, Department of Entomology, Purdue University Dr. Scott Jackson, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University Dr. Bill Muir, Department of Animal Science, Purdue University Dr. Barry Pittendrigh, Department of Entomology, Purdue University Dr. Michael Scharf, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida Dr. Jeff Stuart, Department of Entomology, Purdue University Dr. Steve Yaninek, Department of Entomology, Purdue University
TARGET AUDIENCES: Announcements for the conference were distributed through discipline organizations, relevant genomics and AG research associations, listserves, professional society newsletters and websites, etc. Special attention was given to all 1862, 1890, and 1994 LGUs, departments in non-LGUs working on topics of interest as identified by members of the steering and organizing committees, and to counterparts in relevant stakeholders groups, government, and industry. A dedicated "Functional Genomics in Agriculture" website was established with the general announcement, draft program, meeting updates, and registration page. This site was hosted by Purdue University. An email contact list was established to keep prospective participants updated on conference developments prior the scheduled meeting.
Impacts
The meeting was a rare opportunity to exchange scientific expertise and experiences among genomics researchers and stimulate new discussions with applied researchers, stakeholders, and decision makers who do not normally interact with the genomics community. Information about the conference including the final program with speaker and poster abstracts is available online at: www.entm.purdue/conference There were a number of general observations that emerged from the presentations. Partnerships: we need to look for new partnerships that can capitalize on inter-institutional, interdisciplinary, public/private, multinational strengths Enabling technologies: new approaches to allow more rapid and inexpensive approaches to connect genomics with function Translation: convert the knowledge gained with model species to be translated into economically important species, including orphan species so that indeed the health, food and feed, environmental, energy, and economic
security are ensured Opportunities for students/postdocs: we will need to partner with industry to look for opportunities to train students and postdocs Big science paradigms and individual PI driven discoveries: will require innovative portfolios of efforts that should not forget the opportunity for individually driven discoveries Impact: we must do a better job of demonstrating impacts Intellectual property issues: new models are needed to share and share in the intellectual outcomes Funding: will need new approaches to providing the funding needed to realize the promise of the genomics revolution, including a mix of public and private sources
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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