BIO Expedition: Plant Genomics as a Strategy to Improve the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Colombia

Plant genomics research will play a critical role in responding to the needs of growing human populations and the effects climate change may have on agriculture. The biggest challenges we face and can be solved through the study of genomics are sustainable food security and the use of renewable energy for daily activities. Colombia as a megadiverse country that holds a significant percentage of the world's diversity is obliged to know, understand and preserve that diversity.

Expedition BIO is a proposal born from the need to support a national initiative from the Colombian government, for the collection of genomic resources of plant species with large and medium agricultural importance. The proposed research seeks to generate knowledge and advanced technological capabilities in Colombia through the sustainable use of the national diversity combined with the study of the "-omics" ultimately developing agriculture, protecting biodiversity and using bioprospecting resources.This proposal will identify genes that may help understand or improve agricultural production in the country and advance plant research.

Given the magnitude of this project The Colombian Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology BIOS has the infrastructure and human resources needed to develop a biological collection of genes of interest that will strengthen the agriculture, energy and pharmacy industries. This will potentiate the socioeconomic status and scientific production of the country resulting in an economic growth through the use of bioinformatics and computational biology.