Developments in Genomics: the Genebank Perspective

Crop research and plant breeding are never going to be the same again as a result of the ongoing developments in genomics. Their demand for genebank material will change as a consequence and genebanks will have to anticipate these changes. For example, users querying genomic databases will want to order material with the interesting sequence in a purified line. Other users will ask the genebank for accessions with all variation known to exist for a certain gene. Also, the genebank itself might benefit from the new possibilities in its attempts to become more efficient. The composition of collections can be optimised based on the new information, and the genetic integrity of accessions can be checked easily. However, there might be a bottleneck at the genebank side, as most genebanks might not be ready to adopt the technology and meet the new demands of the users.

An overview of the genebank community and its level of technology will be given, focussing on the bioinformatics capacity and infrastructure. An analysis will be made of the changes that can be expected in this community as a result of the developments in genomics. Based on this analysis, conclusions will be drawn regarding the elements required to allow genebanks to live up to the expectations of their users in the genomics era.