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Title: The animal genetic resource information network (AnimalGRIN) database: A database design and implementation case

Author
item IRWIN, GRETCHEN - Colorado State University
item Wessel, Lark
item Blackburn, Harvey

Submitted to: Journal of Information Systems Education
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2012
Publication Date: 7/1/2012
Citation: Irwin, G., Wessel, L.K., Blackburn, H.D. 2012. The animal genetic resource information network (AnimalGRIN) database: A database design and implementation case. Journal of Information Systems Education. 23:19-32.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript presents a case study that is based on an actual project for the United States Department of Agriculture’s National The development of a database designed to aid in the management of gene banking animal genetic resources is described and is used as an example of how to build and implement a database. Due to the combination of biological and business elements the example described in the paper provides a novel domain students can apply their modeling skills in practicing database development.

Technical Abstract: This manuscript presents a case study that is based on an actual project for the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP). The NAGP collects, preserves, and documents germplasm from various breeds of livestock in the United States, in order to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the breeds and to research threats to biodiversity such as parasites and diseases. This case describes the requirements for a database to manage information about the germplasm that is stored in the NAGP repository, and the animals from which the germplasm originates. The database is the foundation for a web-based information system referred to as the Animal Genetic Resource Information Network, or AnimalGRIN. The case provides a valuable context for teaching and practicing database design and implementation, because it is from an atypical domain but contains many of the same data modeling patterns and challenges that appear in typical business transaction processing systems.