agricultural genomics network (agn): a much needed platform for the genomics research!

With the advancement in technology, several molecular breeding approaches like marker-assisted backcrossing

(MABC), genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and genomic selection (GS) have been gaining popularity and are being adopted by

researchers. In general researchers do not get clear idea which technology and/or which service provider will be cost-effective for

the intended purpose. As a part of CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme (GCP)'s community-building efforts, a Linkedin group

named, GCP-Agricultural Genomics Network (GCP-AGN) (http://goo.gl/Dmkium) has been established to facilitate discussion in

modern genomics areas. The group is offering a suitable platform to researchers for interactions, discussions, activity planning

and exchange of ideas to the genomics and breeding communities. In addition, explore and harness plant genetic diversity using

genomics tools to advance the breeding has been one of the key focuses of GCP. The GCP network has led to generation a range

of genomic resources. With an objective to make the use of these resources and make them easily available for breeders and

researchers a Genomics page has been developed at Integrated Breeding Platform (IBP) (http://goo.gl/RKw8tW). Mining of the

existing, scattered data have been initiated and links to databases are being added on the genomics page.

Inclusive Market-Oriented Development (IMOD) – our approach to bringing prosperity in the drylands. ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.

Agriculture Genomics Network

Agricultural Genomics Network (AGN): a much

needed platform for the genomics research!

Abstract

Rajeev Varshney1,*, Manish Roorkiwal1, Dadakhalandar Doddamani1, Abhishek Rathore1,

Antonia Okono2, Fredrick Okono2 1International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, 502324, India 2CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme (GCP), c/o CIMMYT, 06600 Mexico DF, Mexico; *Address for correspondence: r.k.varshney@cgiar.org

Overall objectives

Integrated breeding platform (IBP), a web-based one-stop shop for

information, analytical tools to carry out integrated breeding projects.

In order to boost crop productivity, idea is to integrate modern

genomics component to strengthen IBP

Genomics component of IBP referred as Agricultural Genomics

Network (AGN) aims to provide one-stop genomics shop to genomics

community for accessing genomics resources

1. Develop Agricultural Genomics Network (AGN) to discuss advances in

genomics and provide critical appraisal and support

2. Catalogue genomic resources in the GCP-focused crops

3. Offer services and support for genomics research and breeding

projects

AGN plans to infuse genomics component in IBP portfolio and serve

as a platform for genome biologist under following three objectives:

A formal community of genome

biologists (Linkedin group) GCP-AGN

was established on the March 22nd

2013

Till date group contains 334

researchers have become the

member and actively participating

in discussions in more structured and

efficient manner

Group also provide information to the

members about the conferences and

workshop

Objective 1: Community building

Challenge in coordinating the existing databases

to avoid redundant efforts.

Efforts were undertaken to mine the existing,

scattered data from the public domain and the

concerned PIs were contacted to share the data

Links for tools and technologies available in the

public domain are being shared.

Objective 2: Cataloguing of genomic resources

Snapshot from the Genomics page of IBP website

List of GCP focused crops and their genome source

Objective 3: Services and Support for genomics research

In order to facilitate participation of NARS and CG partners in genomic conferences/ workshops, extend

information about the trainings, workshops and conferences for the users

Macrogen Inc. can be contacted for cost-effective genotyping services through AGN by contacting Manish

Roorkiwal (m.roorkiwal@cgiar.org)/Rajeev Varshney (r.k.varshney@cgiar.org)/Fredrick Okono (f.okono@cgiar.org)

Summary

Acknowledgements Financial support from

CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) is

gratefully acknowledged. This work has been

undertaken as part of the CGIAR Research Program

on Dryland Cereals.

Linkedin group GCP-AGN (Agricultural

Genomics Network) established

The group started to have discussion

related to new technologies, and

publications

The genomic resources have been/are

being catalogued to make available for

the research community through IBP