Location: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory
2020 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Operate GRIN-Global and other USDA-ARS genetic resource information management systems to safeguard and deliver invaluable passport and descriptive data, and comply with information management system directives from USDA-ARS, USDA, and the U.S. Federal government as a whole.
Sub-objective 1.A: Administer and maintain GRIN/GRIN-Global hardware and software systems to ensure uninterrupted operations, in compliance with policies and procedures to protect information integrity and security.
Sub-objective 1.B: Document GRIN-Global with guides and manuals, and train NPGS users to facilitate acceptance and efficient usage of the system.
Sub-objective 1.C: Deliver information about other agricultural genetic resources collections and related programs through GRIN web pages.
Objective 2: Continue to expand the capacity and capabilities of the GRIN-Global plant genetic resource information management system to meet the needs of crop curators and genetic resource users, and to ensure smooth integration of its data with information from other sources, such as model organism databases.
Sub-objective 2.A: Enhance GRIN-Global by optimizing database, middle tier, and presentation tier features and functions.
Sub-objective 2.B: Expand the capability of GRIN-Global to exchange data with other accession-based information management systems.
Approach
The GRIN-Global software will be enhanced by the Development Team using agreed upon 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 enforces the business rules, and the Public Website used by global researchers 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 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 by NPGS genebanks. NPGS genebank staff will be provided ongoing 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 cybersecurity policies and procedures. The project will also operate the GRIN pages that document the USDA National Genetic Resources Program. These include providing public access to informational pages or searchable databases for animal, insect, microbial, and plant collections. GRIN will also serve as the public repository of information about the activities of the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council of USDA.
Progress Report
This report covers the period October 2019 through June 2020. Efforts are ongoing to upgrade the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Global) public website and other server components using more secure and up-to-date development tools. A revised version of the Public Website will be released in July 2020. Informational pages of GRIN (animal, plant, microbial) were completely revised and refreshed in October 2019. This past September, the entire GRIN suite of applications were migrated from in-house servers to being hosted in the Microsoft Azure cloud to comply the USDA Data Center Optimization Initiative. GRIN and GRIN-Global continued to operate normally during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many domestic and foreign distributions of germplasm were disrupted for various reasons, including closures or limited staffing at ARS genebanks and the inability of couriers to complete foreign shipments.
Accomplishments
1. GRIN is available continuously as a global resource. The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database was publicly available almost continually throughout fiscal year 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GRIN remained fully operational although shipments for NPGS germplasm were significantly disrupted. GRIN provided valuable and comprehensive information about agricultural genetic resources, especially those of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). As of June 2020, NPGS genebanks have distributed more than 146,000 plant germplasm samples based on requests received through GRIN. This material is used by global scientists to improve agricultural production and sustainability.
