The Institute for Genomic DiversityÕs Interactive Resource Center
Proposal for the Generation Challenge
Program
Written by:
Dr. Theresa Fulton
Director of Outreach
Institute for Genomic Diversity
Cornell University
135 Biotechnology Building
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
(607) 255-4323
One of the many
challenges of scientists in the international community, particularly in
developing countries, is getting personalized, interactive support in addressing
the needs specific to their own research programs. The lack of access to trained personnel, key literature, and
a support system can be limiting factors in the progress of scientistsÕ
research programs. At the Genetic
Resources Challenge ProgramÕs Stakeholders Meeting in Alexandria, January 2003,
one of the recommendations of the Working Group on Capacity Building was to
create an Interactive Resource Center (a ÒhelpdeskÓ) to support scientists
involved in the Challenge Program.
The IGD is in a
key position to take the initiative in setting up this Resource Center. Our
location at Cornell University gives us access to important resources,
including the facilities and faculty here, that could play an important role in
addressing the needs of scientists all over the globe. Nearby facilities include many large
libraries (and networked resources), information technologies such as the
Cornell Theory Center and the new Computational Biology Support Center. These resources,
together with IGDÕs combined expertise in research and education, make it
possible for our Institute to have a significant positive impact, particularly
as a capacity-building contribution to the Challenge Program. Many
international scientists have taken advantage of these resources while on
training visits to the IGD; establishing a Resource Center will allow us to
extend our resources to scientists that do not have to opportunity to visit in
person.
Targeted for,
but not limited to, the international CGIAR centers, National Agricultural
Research centers, and their clients, users of the Resource Center would include
scientists around the world working on plant genetic resources and needing
support. Support given could be in the form of answering questions about
experimental design, laboratory protocols, data management, laboratory
maintenance, funding, training possibilities, software specifics, statistics
questions, making literature available, etc. The goal is not necessarily to
directly answer each question, but to be able to direct the client to the
appropriate person or place that will be able to address the question.
During the week
of August 2-6, 2004, a needs assessment workshop was co-organized by the
Generation Challenge ProgramÕs Capacity Building Subprogram (leader: Dr. M Carmen
de Vicente of IPGRI) and IGD (Dr. Theresa M. Fulton). Held in Costa Rica and
attended by 35 participants from NARs in every region of the globe, this
workshop not only assessed and prioritized the needs of international
scientists, but developed a plan to begin to fill these needs. A major aspect
of this plan was the Resource Center. The specifics of this plan are listed at
the end of this document.
The website for
the project is under development at http://irc.igd.cornell.edu.
It will be both informational and interactive. The ÔhelpdeskÕ aspect of the
Resource Center, i.e. a place for scientists to email, mail, call, or fax with
questions, is already available. A collaboration with the Computational Biology
Service Unit at Cornell University has been initiated whereas CBSU will advise
and train a computer science person to work on the project. Specifically, this
will aid in the production and presentation of online tutorials and training
materials that will be both for personal use (e.g. when a scientist logs on to
learn about a specific topic) and for teaching and training purposes (e.g. when
a scientist needs materials to assist him/her in training laboratory personnel,
etc.). These materials could also be used as Òpre-trainingÓ or background
material for people participating in a planned workshop, to insure that all
participants begin more or less at the same level (greatly increasing the
efficiency of workshop, which tend to have to fall to the most basic level of
the participants in order not to lose anyone). See the list below for specific
topics identified as immediately needed.
Evaluation of
the project will be ongoing, and will include frequent meetings of the
organizers and an advisory committee including but not limited to Rob
Bertram/Larry Beach (US-AID), Rebecca Nelson (McKnight Foundation and CU Plant
Pathology Department), Steve Kresovich, Theresa Fulton, Martha Hamblin and
Sharon Mitchell (of the IGD) and CGIAR scientists. Comments of users will be
solicited, and an online evaluation form will be available to encourage and
simplify the process. An annual evaluation will be conducted which will include
the follow-up of all users and assessment of whether the Helpdesk has impacted
their research.
Group Plan for the Resource Center, August 6, 2004, by the Needs Assessment Workshop of the Generation Challenge Program, Costa Rica.
Virtual lab: photos and/or movies of protocols in action [like cooking videos] (with warning if broadband is needed)