Location: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory
2024 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1:
Improve the capabilities of the GRIN-Global information management system, in alignment with the overall NPGS Plan, to meet the needs of NPGS genebanks and external users, including avoiding backlogs in data curation and expanding automated data sharing with other research and service databases.
Sub-objective/Goal 1A: Improve the GRIN-Global database, middle tier, and presentation tier features and functions.
Sub-objective/Goal 1B: Expand automated data sharing with other research and service databases.
Objective 2:
Operate all GRIN sites, primarily GRIN-Global, to document and safeguard genetic resources, deliver relevant and accurate information to users and stakeholders, and comply with all information security requirements.
Sub-objective/Goal 2A: Publish open access information about agricultural genetic resource collections, and plant genebank operations and training information.
Sub-objective 2B: Document GRIN-Global with guides and manuals and train internal and external users to ensure efficient and productive use of the system.
Sub-objective 2C: Operate all GRIN websites with maximum availability and in compliance with policies and procedures to protect information confidentiality and integrity.
Approach
The GRIN-Global software will be enhanced by the development team using appropriate tools, principles, and practices. The features and functions will be improved for the curator tool used by National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) genebank staff, the administrator tool used by system administrators, the middle tier that determines the business rules, and the public website used by global scientists and germplasm requestors. New software releases will be scheduled at regular intervals. All released versions of the software will be deposited into the GRIN-Global international code repository and made freely available to collaborators. The project will emphasize creating real-time conduits for automated sharing as both a provider and receiver of plant genetic resources related data. The project will provide as much technical assistance to international partners as is feasible, and will participate in global genebank community discussion, planning and implementation events. Documentation, training, and help materials will be developed using a variety of formats to ensure maximal and efficient utilization of the system. Genebank staff will be offered regular opportunities to receive training on using GRIN-Global. The project will provide secure and reliable access to the information management system for internal and external users. All hardware and software components will be operated in compliance with USDA and ARS information security policies and procedures. The project will also operate the GRIN website that documents the USDA National Genetic Resources Program. These include providing public access to informational pages or searchable databases for animal, microbial, and plant collections. GRIN will serve as a public repository of information about the activities of the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council of USDA. The project will also operate the GRIN-U website as an open access resource for online learning on topics related to plant genetic resources conservation and use.
Progress Report
There have been two GRIN-Global server releases (December 2023 and May 2024) thus far in FY 2024, and 2-3 more releases are planned before the end of fiscal year. Progress has been slowed by two recent vacancies on the IT team, one resignation and the retirement of a 40+ years of service founding member of GRIN. Fortunately, one vacancy was filled in May 2024 and the retiree has returned to working part-time through a contractual arrangement until that position can be filled. A major NPGS policy and procedures change was implemented in the December 31, 2023 release. Effective January 1, 2024, all NPGS distributions of all taxa to international requestors require acceptance of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The SMTA acceptance occurs through a “click” box on the website when requestors add applicable material to the GRIN-Global shopping cart. We implemented new procedures to ensure international requesting individuals and organizations are not subject to current U.S. government trade and economic sanctions before approving the order. We also developed new procedures for referring requests from certain countries to ARS leadership to determine whether they should be approved or denied. The web-based Taxonomy Editor and revisions to the germplasm seasonal availability logic are in final testing before production. Initiatives are underway to develop programing interfaces for data retrieval on NPGS accessions from the NCBI E-utilities portal and from the Genesy germplasm request system, and to publish an endpoint for other systems to access GRIN Taxonomy data more efficiently.
Accomplishments
1. GRIN is available continuously as a global resource. The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), operated by ARS scientists and Information Technology staff in Beltsville, Maryland, was publicly available almost continually throughout fiscal year 2024. GRIN provided valuable and comprehensive information about agricultural genetic resources, especially those of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). As of June 2024, NPGS genebanks have distributed more than 100,000 plant germplasm samples in the calendar year based on requests received through GRIN. This material is used by global scientists to improve crop production and protection.
2. GRIN-U is an open access site for plant genetic resources (PGR) education and training. GRIN-U, provides educational and training content on plant germplasm conservation, utilization, and genebank operations. The site publishes externally sourced, and GRIN-U developed audiovisual (videos, virtual tours, podcasts) and printed (e-books, infographics, manuals) materials on topics related to PGR management and plant genebank operations. As of June 2024, the site contains 272 postings and has been accessed by more than 9,800 unique users from 122 countries since it was launched in 2021, with the current top five users being from, in order, the U.S., China, India, Canada, and United Kingdom. This site will help train a new generation of PGR scientists and technical staff, as well as inform the broader university student and general public communities about the importance of PGR in global food production and security.