# Presentation: 704466

## Peer Assessment of 5-year PerformanceARS National Program 301:Plant, Microbial and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic ImprovementSummary Comments and RecommendationsRandy Woodson, Panel ChairOctober 31, 2005

## National Program 301 Assessment Panel

-  Ten accomplished scientists (genetics, genomics, molecular biology and breeding)
-  Diverse in expertise, job assignment, geographic location

- Panel convened in Beltsville, MD
- September 14-15, 2005

## Scope of National Program 301

-  Largest National Program with 180 projects
-  300 scientists at 50 locations
-  Annual budget of $128 million

## Charge to the Assessment Panel:

- Assess 5-year performance and impact level of 22 research problem areas
- Consider overall national program, not individual projects
- Provide feedback to ARS leaders, stakeholders, and partners

## The Assessment Provides....

- Feedback and guidance to ARS scientists and leaders to help focus efforts on the potential goals for next program cycle

## NP 301 Composed of Three Research Components

- Genetic Resource Management
- Genetic Characterization and Genetic Improvement
- Genome Databases

## Criteria used for Impact Assessment

- Crop varieties or improved germplasm released
- Crop germplasm accessions conserved and distributed
- Crop genetic/genomic tools developed
- Crop genome information provided to users

## Criteria used for Impact Assessment

- Technology that has been publicly released, patented or licensed, and/or commercialized
- Influence on other researchers in the same or related fields
- Advancement of scientific knowledge
- Major agricultural problems ameliorated, mitigated or solved
- New or improved scientific methods or tools

## Documentation of Impact vs. Goals

- NP301 Action Plan
- 2000-2005 Accomplishment Report
- National Program Leader Overview
- Publications and databases
- Professional working knowledge of panelists

## Overarching Comments

- NP301 represents a critically important area of discovery for US and World agriculture
- NP301 scientists are making key and significant contributions to science and agriculture
- A number of problem areas within NP301 are unique to ARS and represent work of national importance
- NP301 provides key support to others through the conservation of germplasm and the development and maintenance of databases

## Research Component I:  Genetic Resource Management

## Safeguarding Threatened Genetic Resources and Associated Information

- Medium impact
- Develop a strategic plan for germplasm collections that addresses customer needs
- Build on strong international collaborations
- Implement a strategy for ARS to assume the leadership role to safeguard plant, microbe and insect collections

## Conserving Genetic Resources

- High impact
- Develop strategic plan to insure germplasm facilities are aligned with conservation goals
- Insure health and safety of accessions
- Insure genetic integrity of collections, particularly in cross-pollinated species

## Conserving Genetic Resources 

- Enhance efforts to conserve “minor” crop species
- Develop and implement a strategy for conserving critical genetic and genomic collections

## Documenting and Characterizing Genetic Resources

- Low impact
- Work towards a replacement of GRIN that ensures compatibility with other emerging genetic databases and takes in to account user needs

## Expanding Germplasm Evaluation and Characterization

- Medium impact
- Expand molecular evaluation capabilities in each of the germplasm facilities and projects
- Expand collaborative “characterization” projects on accessions in collection
- Insure genetic integrity (make it a priority)

## Technology Transfer

- High impact
- Excellent job in the distribution of germplasm

## Research Component II:  Genetic Characterization and Genetic Improvement

## Tools for Genetic/Genome Analysis

- Medium-high impact
- Identify key areas where USDA-ARS is best positioned to lead in the development of genetic tools (strategic approach)
- Avoid redundancy with other public research programs

## Special Research Populations and/or Genetic Stocks

- Medium impact
- Encouraged to elevate this as a priority area
- Identify key gaps in special research collections and genetic stocks

## Genetic Determinants of Important Traits

- Medium impact
- Develop a mechanism to document key contributions in gene and genetic discovery
- Develop a process to focus genetic discovery in minor crops on industry needs

## Genome Characterization/Mapping

- Medium-high impact
- Develop clear goals for genome characterization that are tied to crop improvement

## Expansion of Genetic/Genomic Database Resources using Model Species

- Medium impact
- ARS should focus efforts where it has a unique opportunity and unique responsibility to lead in this area.

## Advances in Genetic/Genomic Theory

- High impact
- Continue strong support for basic research in genetic and genomic theory, with focus in areas that are often under investigated including minor crops

## Genetic Improvement:  Release of Superior Genetic Resources

- High impact
- The agency should continue its efforts to support genetic improvement with particular attention being paid to those underserved species
- Work to capture usage data on germplasm and varieties

## Capitalizing on Untapped Genetic Diversity in Crop Improvement

- Medium-high impact
- Develop strategic goals for sources of genetic diversity in collaboration with research component I
- Clarify how ARS will work with the private sector in capitalizing on genetic resources
- Develop flexible MTA’s for collaborative projects

## Genetic Mitigation of Abiotic and Biotic Stress

- Medium-high impact
- Strengthen programs in abiotic stress, while continuing strong support for biotic stress resistance
- Work to set priorities for crop improvement by species
- Develop and implement projects that seek to improve crops for low input situations such as organic production

## Genetic Improvement of Product Quality/Value

- Medium impact
- The panel cautions ARS against following the various bandwagons in this area and focus on output traits that add clear value to the product

## New Genetic Methods for Crop Improvement

- Low impact
- The agency should focus its efforts on the development of assays that help in the evaluation and advancement of germplasm, particularly those that are easy and inexpensive to implement

## Research Component III:  Genome Databases

## Long-term Stewardship of Genome Databases

- High impact
- Agency should take immediate action to replace the vacant national program leader in this area
- Form a genome database advisory committee composed of users and contributors
- Focus of improving usefulness of databases to the research community
- Utilize Interagency Working Group as a mechanism to prioritize commitments

## Development of Interconnected/Interoperable Genome Databases

- Medium impact
- Make interconnectivity a very high priority to insure long-term usefulness of databases

## Analyses of Genomic Data

- Low impact
- USDA-ARS is encouraged to invest resources in this critical area to emerge as the “go to organization” for analysis of crop and related species genomes
- Continue long tradition of partnering with university collaborators
- Insure strong linkages back to crop improvement programs within the agency

## NP301 Accomplishment Review

- The panelists appreciate the opportunity to
- contribute to making a strong and productive
- National Program 301 even better
-              Thanks for listening!