Beltsville Area Research Center  (BARC)  -  Effective January 1, 2013

January 13, 2003

Beltsville was one of the ARS locations in 1990 assigned to support the ARS National Animal Genetic Resources Program. Over the years, the Beltsville program has been enhanced with new funds and the addition of molecular geneticists that have resulted in significant strengths in gamete preservation, genetic engineering, and genomics. In a continuing effort to assess future program directions, an evaluation of the genomics and germplasm programs was undertaken.

This evaluation process resulted in the formation of two new management units (MU) - Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) and Bovine Functional Genomics Laboratory (BFGL). The projects and personnel assigned to the new MU's originated from the Gene Evaluation and Mapping Laboratory (GEML), and to a lesser extent, the Growth Biology Laboratory (GBL). As a result of this reorganization, GBL has been abolished.

The mission of the new Bovine Functional Genomics Laboratory is to improve the genetic and productive efficiency of cattle through research on gene expression and marker-assisted genetic selection.