Colombia and Kenya Partnering Award: Skills sharing for genomic approaches to forage improvement

Lead Research Organisation: Earlham Institute
Department Name: Research Faculty

Abstract

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Description We have strengthened collaborations between CIAT, Earlham Institute, IBERS and ILRI in the area of forage research and breeding. We have organised two meetings for the dissemination of knowledge between the partners. During the first meeting, hosted at IBERS, it was agreed to focus on bringing genomic technologies to accelerate Brachiaria breeding for improved livestock production. This grant has resulted in an ongoing collaboration to develop a brachiaria genome sequence, developed using data and skills from Earlham and CIAT.

During the second meeting at CIAT we observed the focus of CIAT's strategy in four main crops: rice, beans, cassava and tropical forages; as well as the importance of the Decision & Policy Analysis department. We highlighted that there are existing activities already funded in UK institutions, specifically with rice and forages, and the importance of maintaining and extending the collaboration to Brachiaria.
Exploitation Route The brachiaria genome will be a useful tool, providing access to B. ruziziensis genomic data for forage researchers and breeders.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink
 
Description This partnering award has enabled the development of collaborations between scientists working towards increasing sustainable agriculture. Specifically, during the first workshop it was agreed to focus on bringing genomic technologies to accelerate Brachiaria breeding for improved livestock production. Brachiaria is not only used by large livestock producers both in Colombia and East Africa, but by subsistence livestock-holders that benefit from any advance in Brachiaria breeding. The award has developed complementary collaborations between breeders in developing countries and computational biologists in UK.
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink
 
Description RCUK-CIAT Newton Fund: Exploiting biodiversity in Brachiaria/Panicum tropical forage grasses using genetics to improve livelihoods and sustainability
Amount £150,692 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/R022828/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2018 
End 03/2019
 
Title B. ruziziensis draft genome assembly 
Description As a result of this collaboration the Earlham Institute has generated a draft genome assembly for a Brachiaria ruziziensis accession. Annotation of the genome is underway, with publication to follow. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The sequence is already being used in-house to assist with an RNASeq study 
 
Title Brachiaria ruziziensis genome reference 
Description A reference assembly and annotation of the Brachiaria ruziziensis genome. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The first draft version of the reference has been shared with Brachiaria breeders in two CGIAR centres, CIAT in Colombia and ILRI in Kenya, for validation. 
 
Description Aberystwyth University - IBERS, in temperate and tropical forages 
Organisation University of Wales
Department Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Genetic map integration with genome assemblies. SNP and diversity calling in natural and induced populations of forages.
Collaborator Contribution Genetic map assembly and validation. Genotyping-by-synthesis (GBS) library preparation and sequencing for diversity analysis. Gene and transcriptomic analysis.
Impact Chromosome-scale genome references for Trifolium pratense, Lolium perenne and Brachiaria ruziziensis.
Start Year 2014
 
Description ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya 
Organisation International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Country Kenya 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Organising a workshop in Aberystwyth University involving researchers from ILRI. Organising a visit to CIAT in Cali involving a researcher from ILRI
Collaborator Contribution Sending delegates and covering a part of their costing to attend to the activities involved in the plan of work.
Impact We submitted a BBSRC's GCRF proposal together that was not successful. The Director and Head of Plant Genomics of Earlham Institute visit ILRI in Nairobi as part of a programme of visit to Kenyan institutions (with funding from a different project) as result of the contacts built in this project.
Start Year 2014
 
Description International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia 
Organisation CGIAR
Department International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Organisation of a workshop hosted at Aberystwyth University with attendants from CIAT to explore future projects and funding opportunities. Training of a MSc student at Earlham Institute (Formerly, TGAC) during 3 months. Visit of Jose De Vega (Earlham), and Leif Skot and Charlotte Jones (IBERS) to CIAT.
Collaborator Contribution Hosting Jose De Vega (Earlham), Sita Ghimere (ILRI), and Leif Skot and Charlotte Jones (IBERS) for 1 week in CIAT HQ in Cali, Colombia. Designated and support Alex Silva stay in UK.
Impact We are applying together for several funding, including the former Newton Fund, in progress RCUK's Grow RC, and planning for the next BBSRC's GCRF.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Meeting with students at CIAT 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact During the visit of several partners to CIAT, Cali, Dr Leif Skot and Jose De Vega met with more than 20 MSc and PhD students from CIAT to discuss about their research lines and future careers, in a collaborative informal atmosphere.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Systems Programme Project Scoping Workshop at CIAT Headquarters in Cali 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Systems Programme Project Scoping Workshop at CIAT Headquarters in Cali focused on tropical agricultural systems containing pulses and/or forages that are relevant to, and part of, the livelihood of communities in Colombia. Applications were invited from individual researchers who could contribute to the project scoping workshop and the resulting research projects. Up to 40 participants in total (around 20 from the UK and 20 from CIAT) were identified to take part.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/2017-sustainable-tropical-agricultural-systems-programme/
 
Description Workshop in CIAT 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact During the final workshop in CIAT, Cali, the visiting researchers from ILRI, IBERS and Earlham met and discussed about potential synergies and future opportunities for collaboration with a research leader from each of the subdivision at CIAT.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016