GRIN-Global

a global plant genebank management system

Update for ARS Administrator’s CouncilDecember 5, 2012

GRIN - a Superior Plant Genetic Resources Management SystemThe Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), developed by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service National Plant Germplasm System, is recognized internationally as a superior genebank management system.

GRIN--1986-present: 26 years of continuous development and enhancements

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Several other plant genetic resource systems and partners

also use GRIN

Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program

National Seed Laboratory

Plant Variety Protection Office

Plant Gene Resources of Canada

GRIN-Global

In 2008, the Global Crop Diversity Trust awarded a $1.4 million grant to USDA-ARS and Bioversity International to enhance and expand GRIN to address global genebank management needs. The timing for this grant was fortuitous; GRIN was beginning a new 5-year project plan.

Trust Bioversity ARS

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“So what is GRIN-Global?”

GRIN-Global (GG) is a software suite that enables genebanks to manage plant genetic resource collections and deliver both information and germplasm in an efficient, coordinated way.

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Many national genebanks lack effective technology for documenting and managing collection information digitally. GRIN required a major update to meet the NPGS’s own needs.

The Need for GRIN-Global

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GRIN-Global manages many different types of data…

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Since 2008, a lot of work….

Almost one million of lines of code written for system components: Curator Tool for genebank staff, Administrator Tool for IT managers, and Public Website for end users.

USDA-ARS Role• Upgrade and expand the current GRIN design and

user interface to develop GRIN-Global

• Provide an enhanced GRIN database schema

• Construct a core set of technologies for updating data stored on a centralized information management system and for distributing centralized data to existing, off-site systems

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Bioversity International Role• Support deployment of GG internationally, through regional PGR

networks and its Regional Offices

• Translate the new system into Arabic, French, Russian and Spanish, and implement it in developing countries

• Implement and monitor barriers to adoption

• Manage companion system GENESYS and ensure portability of global genebanks’ passport and descriptor information from GRIN-Global Systems

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Three training workshops for international partners

Beltsville, MDApril 12-23, 2010

Ames, IANovember 15-22, 2010

Jalisco, MexicoOctober 31-November 10, 2011

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Key Milestones • Version 1.0 was released to international partners on December 14, 2011. U.S. GRIN-Global team is actively assisting Bioversity with deployment

•Introduction to GRIN-Global training webinar series for NPGS staff February-April 2012

• Gap analysis meetings with every NPGS site and U.S. user partners (APHIS, PVPO, USFS) May-November 2012

• Revisions and enhancements are ongoing. Version 2.0 release anticipated in early 2013

• Goal is to deploy and implement GRIN-Global to the NPGS in spring 2013

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For additional information, please visit:

• www.grin-global.org (project background and current information)

• www.grin-global.org/index.php/Training (training and documentation references including videos, exercises, and presentations)

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