Thirty three members of the Arthropod Genomics Research (AGR) community representing all five Areas of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) convened a workshop charged with building collaborative research communities and improving communication channels in the Agency. Participants assessed how the current knowledge, skills and abilities of the AGR scientists impact the effectiveness of genomic data analyses, and affect the capacity of the Agency to address arthropod-specific challenge areas; 1) Controlling Vectored Diseases, 2) Managing Herbivorous Insects, and 3) Implementing Biocontrol, as well as meet the Grand Challenge of reducing agricultural inputs and environmental impact by 25% while increasing output by 25% by 2025. Participants were charged with forming long-term scientific teams that will support the exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise. The workshop was structured to evaluate gaps in knowledge and communication that currently exist, and to subsequently propose solutions that would increase the capacity of ARS to pursue genomics-based scientific inquiry. This task is aligned with the ARS Big Data Vision aimed to develop a well-trained scientific and technical staff and enhance knowledge, skills and abilities within the ARS workforce.
07/26/2016 - 07/28/2016 · Beltsville, MD · lead: Brad Coates
Workshop Agenda (opens pdf in this browser window)
Participant List (opens pdf in this browser window)
Breakout Session I Exercise: Gap Analysis (opens pdf in this browser window)
Breakout Session II Exercise: Devising solutions within and among Grand Challenge Areas (opens pdf in this browser window)
Workshop Summary Document (opens pdf in this browser window)
Related Publications
Gundersen-Rindal D, Adrianos S, Allen M, Becnel JJ, Chen YP, Choi MY, Estep A, Evans JD, Garczynski S, Geib SM, Ghosh SKB, Handler AM, Hasegawa DK, Heerman M, Jull J, Hunter W, Kaur N, Li J, Li W, Ling KS, Nayduch D, Oppert B, Perera OP, Perkin L, Sanscrainte N, Sim S, Sparks M, Temeyer K, Vander Meer R, Wintermantel WM, James R, Hackett K, Coates BS. 2017. Arthropod genomics research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: Applications of RNA interference and gene editing in pest control. Trends in Entomology 13: 109-137. (opens pdf in this browser window)
Poelchau M, Coates BS, Childers CP, Perez de Leon AA, Evans JD, Hackett K, Shoemaker D. 2016. Agricultural applications of insect ecological genomics. Current Opinions in Insect Science 13:61-69.
Coates BS, Poelchau M, Childers C, Evans JD, Handler A, Guerrero F, Skoda S, Hopper K, Wintermantel WM, Ling KS, Hunter WB, Oppert B, Perez de Leon AA, Hackett K, Shoemaker D. 2015. Arthropod genomics research in the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: Current impacts and future prospects. Trends in Entomology 11:1-27. (opens pdf in this browser window)