Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
Animal and Avian Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Based on the written and verbal comments of the reviewers, the NRSP-8 project renewal proposal has been revised accordingly. Below are the major reviewer comments and respective amendments to the NRSP-8 project renewal: 1. Describe the role of NRSP-8 (and its funds) in the scientific accomplishment. • Impact of NRSP-8 has been updated to include accounts of presentations and attendance at both scientific and stakeholder meetings by coordinators and members alike. • Funding support of NRSP-8 research projects and coordinator funds have both been detailed, including how those funds have been used to accomplish the goals of NRSP-8. • The Accomplishments report has been revised to reflect the contribution of coordinator funds. • An appendix has been included that summarizes the use of coordinator funds. 2. Provide details on use of coordinator funds to justify the discretionary plan proposed. • The Management, Budget, and Business Plan section has been revised to provide details of how funds requested will be used by the coordinators. • Projected uses include primarily the following: tool and resource development; seed resources for members; and dissemination of information, resources, and tools. 3. In terms of management, describe how the project will adapt as it moves forward, including how alternative funding will be solicited, how future coordinators will be selected and trained, and how individual coordinators will direct activities and efforts. • The Management, Budget, and Business Plan section has been revised to provide additional details. • The ability of the NRSP-8 program to leverage acquisition of additional research funding has been demonstrated by showing increased funding in grant, contract, and industry support for NRSP-8-supported research projects. • Industry support and partnerships have been addressed. • Shared efforts between cooperators have been included, as well as leveraging of coordinator funds to provide seed resources for member use to generate Federal grant and industry funding. • Transition to new coordinators has been detailed, including "phase-outs" for outgoing coordinators and training of new coordinators.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Advance the status of reference genomes for all species, including basic annotation of worldwide genetic variation, by broad sequencing among different lines and breeds of animals.
Develop strategies to identify and exploit genes and allelic variation that contribute to economically relevant phenotypes and traits, in part through improving functional annotation of the genomes of our species.
Facilitate analysis, curation, storage, distribution and application of the enormous datasets now being generated by next-generation sequencing and related "omics" technologies with regard to animal species of agricultural interest.
Project Methods
ii. Engagement of Stakeholders. The genome committee for each animal species will have one or more representative(s) from an industry group or other appropriate stakeholder selected in consultation with national industry organizations. Industry participants will be invited to attend all technical committee meetings and serve as liaisons between animal industries and both the committee and the species coordinators. Species coordinators will continue to present and interact at national and regional producer meetings and breed organizations. They will also facilitate communication of research outcomes to the general public. The poultry genome and swine genome newsletters and AnGenMap discussion group will also be used to engage stakeholders worldwide.iii. Measurement of Accomplishments and Impacts. The most important measurements of NRSP-8 impact will be through scientific productivity and milestones. Information on scientific progress will be disseminated in peer-reviewed research articles, books, book chapters, popular press articles, newsletters, and both scientific and industry presentations. Every year, chairs of each species committee will detail the scientific productivity and milestones achieved through an annual report that will include presentations and attendance at both scientific and stakeholder meetings by coordinators and NRSP-8 members. In addition, a generation of new scientists will be trained by NRSP-8 members in animal genomics and bioinformatics, while contributing to NRSP-8 projects. Each of the species coordinators supports a competitive award for graduate student travel to the annual PAG conference; participation by students at this conference ensures early exposure to animal genomics research and its applications.