The National Animal Genome Research Program (NAGRP), NRSP-8, from 1993 to 2023,
has been hugely successful, exceeding all expectations, by helping to deliver
complete genome sequences of pig, cattle, sheep, goat, horse, chicken and turkey
and providing genetic tools and resources that have revolutionized the animal
breeding industry. These successes, along with concomitant advances in
genomics-enabled technologies, resulted in the release of the 2018-2027 USDA
Animal Genome Blueprint which outlines key areas for future research and
funding.
New NRSP8 |
Aims of the new NRSP8
- Specific Aim 1: Extending genomics capacity to a broader range of Animal Science stakeholders.
- Specific Aim 2: Supporting capacity to integrate genomic and biological data.
- Specific Aim 3: Education, training and outreach to develop a data-savvy workforce.
Approach: survey stakeholders on data capacity needs; design workflows to simplify data sharing; develop resources (e.g., protocols.io) for genomic workflows; support community use of micropublications that ensure datasets are publicly available and citable; generate community benchmarks for data analysis and re-use.
Approach: workshops to identify stakeholder data collection and data analysis gaps; roundtable discussions with molecular biologists/geneticists, informaticians and engineers to develop interdisciplinary teams; support for students and early career investigators, including attendance at bioinformatics and data science meetings.
Approach: development and publication of stand-alone educational modules that can be added to existing animal science courses or used as stand-alone training; linking educational modules with micro-certificates that signal data competencies; development of a mailing list/bulletin board to publicize internship opportunities between stakeholders, students and academic advisors in animal science; bioinformatics training workshops at meetings and conferences.
Program Chairs and Coordinators
- Chair: Annette McCoy (University of Illinois)
- Chair-Elect: Molly McCue (University of Minnesota)
- Coordinator for Aim 1: Darren Hagen (Oklahoma State University)
- Coordinator-Elect for Aim 1: Ted Kalbfleisch (University of Kentucky)
- Coordinator for Aim 2: James Koltes (Iowa State University)
- Coordinator-Elect for Aim 2: Cedric Gondro (Michigan State University
- Coordinator for Aim 3: Rebecca Cockrum (Virginia Tech)
- Coordinator-Elect for Aim 3: Yanghua He (University of Hawaii)
Project Administrative Advisors:
- Joseph Cassady (South Dakota State University)
- Steve Lommel (NC State University)
- John Kirby (University of Rhode Island)
- Noelle Cockett (Utah State University)
NIFA Representatives:
- Robert Godfrey (USDA)
- Angelica VanGoor (USDA)