Preserving, Restoring and Managing Colombian Biodiversity Through Responsible Innovation

Lead Research Organisation: University of East Anglia
Department Name: Biological Sciences

Abstract

The proposal targets the country of Colombia, at a very important time in history following the peace agreement between the government and the FARC. Colombia is one of the 17 countries considered as "megadiverse" by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Colombia's biodiversity is not only important for the country's natural heritage and the preservation of unique species in the world, it is also essential for the improvement of human welfare, social equality and economic development.

The proposal has been built on a foundation of existing research activities, with the involvement of additional stakeholders, business, government, and third sector organisations, promoting cross-disciplinary expertise to tackle three developmental challenges, and ensuring that impact extents beyond the length of the project.

Our short-term goals are to build research capacity, partnerships and knowledge, with the longer-term goals of stimulating economic and social growth around biodiversity. We have established an alliance of institutions in the UK and Colombia in order to (1) gather information on changes in distribution, diversity, and conservation status of the natural diversity of Colombia, (2) characterise and manage agricultural genetic biodiversity to make breeding and farming more efficient, and (3) assess the challenges and impacts associated with the biodiversity challenges outlined in the other two work programmes to develop key relevant policies and programmes.

In addition we will build research capability by developing researchers' skills, as well their access to research information and resources through group meetings, workshops, networking events and training courses, that will be delivered in collaboration with Colombian partners and in alignment with the activities of the proposal. We will also improve the technological self-sufficiency of the Colombian research community by facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies. Furthermore, we will ensure we raise awareness of the challenges among the public and inform them of how our outcomes are likely to benefit them. Our proposal on Colombian Biodiversity is timely and will allow the targeted country to reach higher scientific level in the proposed activities as well as applying science to inform decision-making and business investments in sustainable agriculture. Ultimately its outcomes will contribute to a long lasting impact by promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels (UN SDG 16).

Planned Impact

At this very important time in Colombian post conflict history, we propose an innovative development strategy to deliver a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, which connects academic, public and private institutions in the UK and Colombia around key biodiversity issues. Our short-term goal is to build research capacity, partnerships and knowledge, with a longer-term goal of stimulating economic and social growth around biodiversity.

The proposal brings together an alliance of complementary skills from a wide range of project partners to understand the mutual impacts of bio-diverse ecosystems and sustainable agricultural productivity. The three main overarching programmes of the proposal are:
1. Natural diversity of organisms and ecosystems in Colombia through characterisation and management of genetic diversity of species, as well as understanding of changes in biodiversity distribution, and conservation status with the long term goal of preventing biodiversity loss.
2. Agricultural diversity of crop species in Colombia through characterising and management of genetic diversity with the long term goal of accelerating breeding and making farming practices more efficient.
3. Socio-economics assessment of the challenges and impacts associated with the biodiversity development opportunities outlined above with the long term goal of developing key relevant policies and programmes.

In order to maximise the impact of our proposal, for each of the described programmes above we will:
1. Support new and ongoing research activities focused on characterising natural and agricultural genetic diversity with the goal of preventing biodiversity loss, improving food security and renewable supplies of plant materials.
2. Create technical training opportunities for all career levels across all three proposed objectives, with emphasis on developing skills of young researchers and facilitating exchanges between UK and Colombia.
3. Assess the value and impact of biodiversity and assist government agencies in incorporating the information into key relevant policies and programmes.
4. Engage with civil organisation and key stakeholders to inform the public about biodiversity and the government on how it might support this engagement in the future.

Organisations

Publications

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Peláez D (2022) Genotype Selection, and Seed Uniformity and Multiplication to Ensure Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) var. Liborino in Agronomy

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Quintero-Anzueta S (2021) Nutritional Evaluation of Tropical Forage Grass Alone and Grass-Legume Diets to Reduce in vitro Methane Production in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

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Teutscherová N (2021) Intensive short-duration rotational grazing is associated with improved soil quality within one year after establishment in Colombia in Applied Soil Ecology

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Tomaszewska P (2023) Complex polyploid and hybrid species in an apomictic and sexual tropical forage grass group: genomic composition and evolution in Urochloa (Brachiaria) species. in Annals of botany

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Tomaszewska P (2021) Flow cytometry-based determination of ploidy from dried leaf specimens in genomically complex collections of the tropical forage grass Urochloa s. l

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Tomaszewska P (2021) Flow Cytometry-Based Determination of Ploidy from Dried Leaf Specimens in Genomically Complex Collections of the Tropical Forage Grass Urochloa s. l. in Genes

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Tomaszewska P (2021) Complex polyploid and hybrid species in an apomictic and sexual tropical forage grass group: genomic composition and evolution in Urochloa ( Brachiaria ) species

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Trujillo-Montenegro JH (2021) Unraveling the Genome of a High Yielding Colombian Sugarcane Hybrid. in Frontiers in plant science

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Vazquez E (2020) Pasture diversification affects soil macrofauna and soil biophysical properties in tropical (silvo)pastoral systems in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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Villegas D (2020) Urochloa Grasses Swap Nitrogen Source When Grown in Association with Legumes in Tropical Pastures in Diversity

 
Title Digital homeschooling resources for children their teachers and families 
Description A portfolio of digital resources to enhance children´s knowledge of Colombia´s biodiversity was developed under GROW Colombia´s public engagement research and in collaboration with several partners belonging to GROW Colombia´s public engagement network. 
Type Of Art Creative Writing 
Year Produced 2020 
Impact The portfolio of digital learning resources for school children has help them, and their teachers and families, to come in contact with and learn about Colombia´s biodiversity in playful and enjoyable ways. 
URL https://aprendiendoalairelibre.org/recursos/
 
Title Humming for Change - Living Maps of Colombia 
Description A video was made of the environmental education campaign that was lead by the UK Embassy in collaboration with GROW Colombia and other partners to motivate Colombia youth to take action in climate change and nature protection. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact The video was showed cased in COP 26. in Nov. 2021, Glasgow. I reached out to Colombian youth and educators. 
URL https://www.growcolombia.org/blog/humming-for-change/
 
Description The project is split into three programmes; Natural Diversity, Agricultural Diversity and Socioeconomics of Biodiversity underpinned by an extensive public engagement programme and a communication and policy impact strategy.
Achievements include;
Policy Impact: Mision de Sabios, Colombian EBP, COP26, Eden Colombia, Doing Science in Colombia.
Public Engagement: Cheltenham Science Festival, UN Live, Scientific creative writing programme, NHM/Eden events, Andean Bear festival, Living Maps of Colombia environmental education programme.
Research and publications: Various areas of the research have provided key data, recommendations and research for prominent articles and publications, including scientific journals, media articles, socio economic reports.
Cacao: Almost 2,000 candidate genes for disease resistance and 500 for cadmium metabolism for wild cacao relatives were found, contributing to improving cacao crops.
Andean bear: An assessment of the conservation status and historic changes in Andean bear populations was carried out to inform Andean bear conservation strategies.
Tropical pastures, sugarcane and plantains: Genetic resources for these cash crops were built by genetically analysing various varieties of tropical pastures.
Mixed pasture systems: Remote sensing monitoring of multi-species pasture systems showed greater biomass production, quicker recovery of soil health parameters (soil aggregation) and an increase in richness and diversity of pollinators.
Socioeconomics of biodiversity: Reports on natural capital, sustainable cattle ranching and deforestation, sustainable cacao farming and market, and bioeconomic strategies were produced to promote recommendations for policy formulation.
Peace with Nature workshops organised for ex-combatants, provided training in biodiversity and conservation science. Participants enhanced skills and knowledge on inventories of biodiversity to be able to apply their skills to ecotourism initiatives, like creating new nature trails, and becoming citizen scientists. The multidisciplinary team facilitating the workshops guided over 100 former soldiers through brainstorming sessions, combining their lived knowledge of the jungle with the rigors of the scientific method. The programme empowers ex-combatants with knowledge of biodiversity to be incorporated into activities allowing them to reintegrate into Colombian society.
The project created a strong network of Colombian scientists, policy makers, journalists, and other stakeholders focussed on biodiversity and sustainability in Colombia who will take forward findings, recommendations and training of this project into future research and endeavours.
The project built long lasting trusted partnerships with Colombian stakeholders at national and regional levels. Such trust has been pivotal to the co-development of capacity building objectives, and the successful generation of equitable outcomes. The training of early career stage Colombian scientists will have a long-term beneficial impact through the establishment of new skills and importantly through the consolidation of collaborative working.
The project achieved planned deliverables, exceeding the original proposal objectives in areas, especially capacity building events where over 30 activities run throughout the project. Attended by over 1,200 participants, the project team strived to ensure an equitable gender split in attendance. 16 public engagement events delivered were estimated to have reached an audience of over 408,000. The real number of the reach of GROW Colombia will be much higher given post event access to online recordings and information via the GROW website and other social media.
Exploitation Route Members of BRIDGE global network will use GROW's research to formulate impactful projects contributing to preserving Colombia's biodiversity, enhancing its sustainable and equitable economic development.
C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a computing infrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data. C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of such a research in Colombia.
Led by the GROW PI and Colombian partners, Colombia joined the Earth Biogenome Project in 2019. EBP-Colombia is a partnership committed to research in the service of sustainable, environmentally-focused strategies to develop Colombia's bioeconomy. It will address the many social and economic challenges.
Research outcomes from the Bioeconomy Cluster, of which GROW was a partner, are being taken forward to obtain resources to implement bioeconomy projects in various regions of Colombia.
GROW partner, Eden Project is using GROW's engagement networks for the Eden Colombia initiative. Announced by the Colombian government at COP26, it aims to create an Eden Project in Colombia that positions the country internationally for tourism and serves as a regional catalyst for sustaining peace, promoting biodiversity conservation and developing a sustainable bioeconomy.
GROW Colombia's Peace with Nature programme is being taken forward by Sydney University in alliance with the British government.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
URL https://www.growcolombia.org/
 
Description Engaging Policymakers: The project directly engages the Government of Colombia. The Vice Minister of Tourism is a member of our Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) and we have representation from the newly formed Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Minciencias) on both our SAB and our Executive Steering Committee. We also have MOUs with government research institutes AGROSAVIA and SINCHI. The GROW PI, was a member of the Mision Internacional de Sabios, a group of international experts responsible for developing policy recommendations on Colombia's bioeconomy, biotechnology and environment to inform policymakers and government agencies. In 2020 Minciencias incorporated these recommendations in Colombia's national strategy for bioeconomy. The recommendations played a crucial role in defining strategic areas and key sectors for Colombia's bioeconomy. Moreover, Minciencias supported and framed the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) Colombia within its national bioeconomy strategy. EBP Colombia was founded and launched in 2020 by GROW's PI and several other project Co Is. EBP Colombia aims to boost Colombia's bioeconomy by generating knowledge on its biodiversity through the application of state of the art genetic sequencing techniques. Additionally, in 2020 GROW Colombia engaged with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, impacting its long-term environmental research plans. The UK Embassy invited GROW to participate in a series of workshops led by the Ministry to provide input to shape its National Strategic Environmental Research Plan (PENIA). The plan will direct environmental research in Colombia for the next ten years (2020 to 2030). As part of GROW´s February 2021 SAB meeting, the Tourism Vice-Minister presented the Colombian Government's new Conservation-Oriented Tourism Policy. Close interaction and collaboration with this Vice-Ministry and with the National Natural Parks agency allows for impact inducing policy-research synergies. We have introduced GROW to leading members of the Colombian Congress in preparation for advocating policy recommendations based on GROW research findings. In the UK a senior official from the Department for International Trade is a member of our SAB. We work closely with BEIS and FCO officials to ensure GROW's achievements benefit the GCRF's impact and the UK's diplomatic work with Colombia. We also work with Parliamentarians, including the UK Trade Envoy to Colombia, to ensure GROW is profiled in relevant parliamentary interventions and in bilateral discussions with their Colombian counterparts. In 2018 the UK Government invited GROW's PI to be one of four people to brief President Duque on policy priorities during his visit to London to agree the UK-Col Partnership for Sustainable Growth. In July 2020 the Colombian Government's Environment Minister met with the GROW PI and British Embassy staff to discuss policy drivers to develop the bioeconomy and achieve sustainable growth. The Colombian Government's strategy for COP26 was also discussed. The GROW PI presented policy recommendations and GROW's research activities. In November 2021 GROW participated in COP 26, showcasing attendees its Living Maps campaign. The campaign encourages youth participation to take action to mitigate climate change. Engaging Farmers/Producers: GROW is engaged in a wide variety of research projects to strengthen the capacity of farmers and producers and improve the sustainability of Colombian agriculture. Our forage breeding research aims to improve the sustainability and value of forage varieties by identifying traits that make them more palatable and resistant to pests, climate change and cadmium uptake from the soil. The results of this research will enable farmers to improve productivity, sustainability, resilience and nutritional quality of forages, and to cultivate land that was previously considered too contaminated. GROW is also assessing the efficacy of planting native shrubs and trees within multi species grazing pastures to bring a range of potential benefits such as improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity and greenhouse gas emission reductions in livestock farming. We are reaching Colombian farming communities through our partnership with CIAT. GROW's research into sugarcane and cocoa diversity is engaging farmers and producers via trade associations and Colombian research institutes. The objective of our research is to accelerate the improvement of farming important cash crops like sugarcane and cocoa to enable more sustainable practices, increased productivity and resilience to threats such as climate change and disease. Soil health is another important component of GROW's agricultural research. The project aims to discover more about the diversity of microorganisms in soil that support ecosystem functions and how they are impacted by human activities. GROW workshops engaging 50 microbiologists and agri-policy specialists resulted in the formation of the Colombian Microbial Ecology Group. This Group will analyse Colombia's capacity to understand where improvements can be made to soil microbial ecology data and drive progress within the agriculture industry. Discussions with the Agricultural Ministry have taken place in 2020 to explore how to best present and incorporate GROW research with the Ministry led working tables on agricultural value chains and sustainable cattle ranching. Engaging Ex-combatants: GROW's research and capacity building work with ex-combatants forms a crucial aspect of the project at a critical time in Colombia's development towards peace and stability. Led by the University of Sydney, this work, entitled Peace with Nature, aims to empower former members of the FARC-EP to become conservationists in order to improve their livelihoods and help their reincorporation into Colombian society. A series of workshops, involving more than 50 ex-combatants, has been held across Colombia and has been endorsed by the United Nations as part of the implementation of the peace process. This project has equipped ex-combatants of FARC-EP with fundamental skills and knowledge to understand, survey and protect biodiversity, and identify and explore the sustainable business opportunities (e.g. ecotourism) to improve and sustain their livelihoods in the process of reincorporation. Public and Community Engagement: Since its establishment GROW has engaged at least 400,000 members of the public in terms of activities and publications, in both the UK and Colombia. This includes raising awareness through community engagement in research activities and their benefits and impacts. We have produced tailored materials through our partners' professional communications teams and specialist commissions. Following the Science and Media Engagement Training in 2019 GROW achieved excellent exposure in both print, online and social media in Colombia. The GROW website was created by a specialist Colombian media company following a competitive tender process and is fully available in Spanish and English. In November 2021, during COP 26, GROW's book "The Threads that Bind us: Colombian Stories Spun from Science and Nature" was launched to provoke interest amongst the general public in Colombia's biodiversity. Together with the Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Universidad de los Andes the book was converted into audiobooks that have been viewed by more than 10,300 persons.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural,Societal,Economic,Policy & public services
 
Description Leverage Yellow Common Bean Native Variety Liborino as a bioproduct for the sustainable and peaceful socioeconomic development of the rural communities in Colombia
Amount £49,852 (GBP)
Funding ID 527023146 
Organisation British Council 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2020 
End 10/2021
 
Description Meeting policy challenges for a responsible biodiversity based bio-economy in Colombia
Amount £126,874 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/T025026/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2020 
End 05/2021
 
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
 
Description Safeguarding UK's best-loved fruit: immunity diversity in banana cultivars
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID 2586708 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2021 
End 09/2025
 
Title Deforestation dataset for cost-opportunity analysis 
Description Dataset collating information on the 3078 Amazon veredas regarding land-use coverage and agricultural production, carbon sequestration and storage, deforestation scenarios. The dataset was collated by the GROW Colombia socio-economic team based on publicly available data sources. The dataset was used to calculate the cost-opportunity of conserving Amazon forest. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The dataset was used in a scientific paper submitted to the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. GROW Colombia's socioeconomic team uses the dataset for further research and analysis on the conservation of pristine Amazon forest. 
 
Title Gene variants in cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance associated genes in of 10 Theobromeae species 
Description Ten species (2 Guazuma, 4 Herrania, 4 Theobroma) were sequenced using Illumina whole-genome sequencing. Reads were mapped to the T.cacao matina reference genomes and variants in genes of interest were identified. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Identification of variants in genes associated with pathogen resistance and cadmium metabolism are key for guiding breeding strategies to develop improved T. cacao varieties. These datasets will be inlcuded in a manuscript which is under preparation. 
 
Title PRJNA513453 Transcriptomic sequencing of 104 Brachiaria spp and Megathyrsus maximus tropical forages accessions representative of the global diversity 
Description RNA-seq on accessions from four Brachiaria species and Panicum maximus with accessions from CIAT (Cali, Colombia) to cover the different levels of ploidy and diversity 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This dataset represent 90% of the genemic data available for this species. 
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/PRJNA513453
 
Title Sequencing of WRKY genes in Theobromeae species 
Description Sanger sequences of WRKY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13 and WRKY14 for 14 Theobromeae species. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The sequencing of framents of these genes allowed the reconstruction of the phylogeny of the Theobromeae tribe. These sequences will be available in Genbank. These data will be inlcuded in a manuscript which is under preparation. 
 
Title Sustainable Cattle Ranching Economic Assessment Tool v.1.10. 
Description The tool is developed in a worksheet support and is based on an extended cost-benefit analysis (CBA) that compares the implementation of different forms of SCR to the current extensive cattle ranching systems (Business as Usual, BAU). It allows to contrast costs and benefits of implementing SCR strategies vis-à-vis BAU. The tool evaluates SCR implementation strategies for a single prototype farm and performs calculations of the net present value (NPV) of cattle ranching systems over a 20 years period. The tool reports farm-level costs and benefits by calculating financial indicators (e.g. revenues from production, production costs, gross margin, enterprise profit) and extended economic benefits produced by ecosystem services enhancement that result from cattle ranching activities. 
Type Of Material Data handling & control 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The tool was presented to cattle ranching stakeholders and practitioners in Colombia with the objective of using it for socio-economic analysis and for further implementation/development. 
 
Title Sustainable cacao consumption choice experiment 
Description Choice experiment dataset collecting data from online survey about sustainable cacao consumption. A random sample from the general population in Colombia (N=600) and the United Kingdom (N=604) answered to an anonymised online survey questionnaire collecting information about chocolate products consumption, preferences, and attitudes. The survey questionnaire was administered by a professional survey company between September and October 2020. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact GROW Colombia's socioeconomic team uses the dataset for further research and analysis on the sustainability of the Colombian cacao sector. 
 
Title Sustainable ecotourism development opportunities 
Description dataset collating information on tourism, ecotourism and nature based tourism activities undertaken by Colombian sectoral stakeholders. The dataset includes information collected through an online survey administered by a professional tourism consultancy company between August and November 2021. The dataset includes 122 observations from different tourism operators (rural hotel, travel agencies, tourist operators, natural reserves) on activities carried out, cost structure, benefits and use of ecosystems, etc. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact GROW Colombia's socioeconomic team uses the dataset for further research and analysis on the sustainability of the Colombian ecotourism sector. 
 
Title Tissue samples collected for genomic sequencing in Lizama, Colombia, to date, and their current genomic characterisation 
Description Dataset contains details on 53 fishes collected from the Lizama area in Colombia and selected for a pilot experiment on species sequencing using third-generation-sequencing approaches. Data include species, biological replicate number, date and site of collection, tissue type, preservation medium, and their current link and genomic characterisation on NCBI 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The dataset provides an indication of the studies novelty, how much it will contribute to the field of genomics, specifically the Earth Biogenome Project, as well as online genomic reference databases. In addition, researching the current genomic characterisation facilitates the future exploration of effective mtDNA regions for eDNA applications, and where the current gaps lie 
 
Title Whole genome assembly and gene annotation of a diploid genotype of Brachiaria ruziziensis (syn. Urochloa ruziziensis) 
Description In this work, we have presented a comprehensive analysis of the molecular mechanism linked to aluminium tolerance in Brachiaria species. By assembling and annotating a diploid genotype of B. ruziziensis we have developed the capability for genomic-based studies of desirable phenotypic traits. Using this resource, we have identified three QTLs associated to root architecture and vigour during Al 3+ stress in a hybrid population from a high and low tolerant accession. We have also identified a number of genes and molecular responses that impact on different aspects of signalling, cell-wall composition and active transports as a response to aluminium stress. Brachiaria tolerance appears to build in the same genes than in rice. However, we found that external mechanisms such as sequestration of Al 3+ common in other grasses might be not that important in Brachiaria. Also, contrasting regulation in the same genotype after 8 or 72 hours of Al 3+ stress of numerous genes involved in RNA translation can explain the different levels of tolerance among different Brachiaria species. The newly annotated draft genome represents an important base upon which study other aspects of Brachiaria biology. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://zenodo.org/record/3703092
 
Title Whole genome sequencing of 150 common bean landraces from South America 
Description 150 common bean landraces were obtained from international genebanks, grow and DNA extracted. Samples were sequenced using Illumina short-read technology to a coverage of approx. 20X per sample. Data is being deposited in genomic repositories, namely EBI's nt archive. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This dataset is being analysed by both teams in the UK and Colombia using different approaches (diversity analysis, phenotype-genotype association and genotype-environment association) to clarify several hypothesis regarding the adaptation of common bean to future climatic scenarios. 
 
Title Whole-genome re-sequencing / 32 Andean bear's museum specimens from Colombian natural history collections. 
Description 32 individual samples of museum specimens of the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) were sequenced, 23 of them at higher sequencing depths. All the work was developed by JC Chacon Duque (GROW postdoctoral researcher, NHM) with the support of Ian Barnes (GROW co-PI, NHM) and Selina Brace (researcher, NHM). The work includes the collection of samples (bone powder and tissue fragments) from 10 natural history collections across Colombia, DNA extraction and preparation of genomic libraries for sequencing at a dedicated ancient DNA facility at the NHM and the data processing and analysis. A manuscript is currently on preparation and all the data will be made publicly available as soon as the scientific article is published. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The analysis of this dataset will enable us to estimate which populations/individuals will be more genetically susceptibility to threats such as climate change or disease. We will use this research to inform conservation strategies. Besides, this dataset will be of particular interest to other conservation geneticist working on the species. 
 
Title Whole-genome resequencing of 220 sugarcane accessions representative of the global diversity 
Description Whole-genome resequencing of 220 sugarcane accessions representative of the global diversity. The dataset includes 15 S. officinarum, 7 S. barberi from 3 subspecies, 5 S. sinense from 2 subspecies, 1 S. spontaneum, and 3 Erianthus genotypes. These include 2 samples from Papua New Guinea and 1 from India, hypothetical centers of origin of the species. The dataset also includes 189 sugarcane hybrids from breeding programmes in 15 countries: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, South Africa, USA and Venezuela. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact 57 samples sequenced to a coverage of ~10X for genome composition analysis. All 220 samples sequenced to a coverage of ~2X for population structure analysis. The data has been shared with the Colombian sugarcane breeding institute, that is making (confidential) use of the data for breeding. 
 
Title Whole-genome sequencing of 10 Thebromeae species 
Description Illumina whole-genome sequencing of the following species: Guazuma crinita, G. ulmifolia, Herrania albiflora, H. mariae, H. nitida, H. purpurea, Theobroma bicolor, T. cacao, T. mammosum, T. microcarpum 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Reads were mapped to the reference genome T. cacao matina and variants of interest were identified in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance. Data will be available in Genbank and datasets of gene variants will be inlcuded in a manuscript which is under preparation. 
 
Description Agrosavia-Earlham Institute MoU 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Genomic approaches to access the crop diversity at the Colombian National Germplasm collection hosted by Agrosavia/Corpoica
Collaborator Contribution Making available genetic resources and evaluation trials
Impact Two pilot projects on Musa accessions and legume forages to identify genome-wide trait-SNP associations for molecular breeding.
Start Year 2019
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Aberystwyth University
Department Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias)
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation BRIDGE Colombia
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation CGIAR
Department International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Colombian Sugarcane Research Center
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation CorpoGen
Country Colombia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Del Rosario University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation EAFIT University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Earlham Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation El Bosque University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Guillermo Pilleres Botanical Garden
Country Colombia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation ICESI University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Industrial University of Santander
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Institute for Marine and Coastal Research
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation National Research Center for Coffee
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation National University of Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Natural History Museum
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Pontifical Xavierian University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation Sinchi Amazonic Institute of Scientific Research
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation The Eden Project
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University of Antioquia
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University of East Anglia
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University of Sydney
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University of the Amazon
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BRIDGE Colombia Network 
Organisation World Wide Fund for Nature
Department Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute founded the BRIDGE Colombia network of Colombia, British and International organisations following the success of an IAA funded workshop around Colombian Biodiversity. The development of the BRIDGE day 2017 and 2018. In 2018 it was decide that GROW and BRIDGE would aligned with some projects of the Newton Caldas programme
Collaborator Contribution The network is a multidisciplinary network of researchers and organisations with an interest in preserving Colombian biodiversity and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Each network partner has contributed to ongoing discussions about current and future research proposals and ideas.
Impact Disciplines involved: biological sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, microbiology, economics, social sciences, political sciences
Start Year 2017
 
Description BiG data Analytics for a sustainable, competitive and inclusive Cacao value chain in Colombia 
Organisation CasaLuker
Country Colombia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have agreed on a proposal led by Earlham Institute, a research institution in the UK, to explore the commercial potential by building a data platform and using it in pilot feasibility projects. The length of the project is 18 months. There are two additional academic partners involved in the project, the University of Reading in the UK and the University of Los Andes (UniAndes) in Bogota, Colombia. Their expertise is key to achieve the objectives of the project in specific tasks that are not covered by the industrial partners. The costs of the three non-industrial partners does not exceed 50 % of the total project, and will mainly be used to cover the salary costs of developing the platform (EI), collecting data for cadmium tolerance (Reading), and economic modelling (UniAndes). Three industrial partners (business) from Colombia, with expertise in different stages of the cocoa value chain, are involved in the proposal. Their combined budget is 50 % of the total project. Fromnativo is a SME, while Fedecacao and Casa Luker are large companies and will fund half of their total project costs as required by the guidelines. All the activities by the industrial partners fall into the "Fundamental Research" category within Innovate UK guidelines. Approximately 70 % will be spend overseas for field work and to cover the time allocated by the experts in the cocoa value chain. A detailed breakdown of the roles and times is provided in the finance forms. The development of the data platform and modelling tools, as well as the pilot studies using them, are specialized and labour intensive. As result, most of the R&D funding by Innovate UK will cover salary costs. 2/3rds of the budget allocated overseas will be used by the industrial partners (business). The project involves field work in the study areas of Arauca, and travel and subsistence for that are requested by all the partners.
Collaborator Contribution As part of the impact that GROW has, we have agreed on a new proposal and a collaborative agreement to work with Cacao.
Impact We have written a proposal and signed an agreement to work together.
Start Year 2018
 
Description BiG data Analytics for a sustainable, competitive and inclusive Cacao value chain in Colombia 
Organisation Fedecacao
Country Colombia 
Sector Learned Society 
PI Contribution We have agreed on a proposal led by Earlham Institute, a research institution in the UK, to explore the commercial potential by building a data platform and using it in pilot feasibility projects. The length of the project is 18 months. There are two additional academic partners involved in the project, the University of Reading in the UK and the University of Los Andes (UniAndes) in Bogota, Colombia. Their expertise is key to achieve the objectives of the project in specific tasks that are not covered by the industrial partners. The costs of the three non-industrial partners does not exceed 50 % of the total project, and will mainly be used to cover the salary costs of developing the platform (EI), collecting data for cadmium tolerance (Reading), and economic modelling (UniAndes). Three industrial partners (business) from Colombia, with expertise in different stages of the cocoa value chain, are involved in the proposal. Their combined budget is 50 % of the total project. Fromnativo is a SME, while Fedecacao and Casa Luker are large companies and will fund half of their total project costs as required by the guidelines. All the activities by the industrial partners fall into the "Fundamental Research" category within Innovate UK guidelines. Approximately 70 % will be spend overseas for field work and to cover the time allocated by the experts in the cocoa value chain. A detailed breakdown of the roles and times is provided in the finance forms. The development of the data platform and modelling tools, as well as the pilot studies using them, are specialized and labour intensive. As result, most of the R&D funding by Innovate UK will cover salary costs. 2/3rds of the budget allocated overseas will be used by the industrial partners (business). The project involves field work in the study areas of Arauca, and travel and subsistence for that are requested by all the partners.
Collaborator Contribution As part of the impact that GROW has, we have agreed on a new proposal and a collaborative agreement to work with Cacao.
Impact We have written a proposal and signed an agreement to work together.
Start Year 2018
 
Description BiG data Analytics for a sustainable, competitive and inclusive Cacao value chain in Colombia 
Organisation Fromnativo
Country Colombia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have agreed on a proposal led by Earlham Institute, a research institution in the UK, to explore the commercial potential by building a data platform and using it in pilot feasibility projects. The length of the project is 18 months. There are two additional academic partners involved in the project, the University of Reading in the UK and the University of Los Andes (UniAndes) in Bogota, Colombia. Their expertise is key to achieve the objectives of the project in specific tasks that are not covered by the industrial partners. The costs of the three non-industrial partners does not exceed 50 % of the total project, and will mainly be used to cover the salary costs of developing the platform (EI), collecting data for cadmium tolerance (Reading), and economic modelling (UniAndes). Three industrial partners (business) from Colombia, with expertise in different stages of the cocoa value chain, are involved in the proposal. Their combined budget is 50 % of the total project. Fromnativo is a SME, while Fedecacao and Casa Luker are large companies and will fund half of their total project costs as required by the guidelines. All the activities by the industrial partners fall into the "Fundamental Research" category within Innovate UK guidelines. Approximately 70 % will be spend overseas for field work and to cover the time allocated by the experts in the cocoa value chain. A detailed breakdown of the roles and times is provided in the finance forms. The development of the data platform and modelling tools, as well as the pilot studies using them, are specialized and labour intensive. As result, most of the R&D funding by Innovate UK will cover salary costs. 2/3rds of the budget allocated overseas will be used by the industrial partners (business). The project involves field work in the study areas of Arauca, and travel and subsistence for that are requested by all the partners.
Collaborator Contribution As part of the impact that GROW has, we have agreed on a new proposal and a collaborative agreement to work with Cacao.
Impact We have written a proposal and signed an agreement to work together.
Start Year 2018
 
Description BiG data Analytics for a sustainable, competitive and inclusive Cacao value chain in Colombia 
Organisation University of Reading
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have agreed on a proposal led by Earlham Institute, a research institution in the UK, to explore the commercial potential by building a data platform and using it in pilot feasibility projects. The length of the project is 18 months. There are two additional academic partners involved in the project, the University of Reading in the UK and the University of Los Andes (UniAndes) in Bogota, Colombia. Their expertise is key to achieve the objectives of the project in specific tasks that are not covered by the industrial partners. The costs of the three non-industrial partners does not exceed 50 % of the total project, and will mainly be used to cover the salary costs of developing the platform (EI), collecting data for cadmium tolerance (Reading), and economic modelling (UniAndes). Three industrial partners (business) from Colombia, with expertise in different stages of the cocoa value chain, are involved in the proposal. Their combined budget is 50 % of the total project. Fromnativo is a SME, while Fedecacao and Casa Luker are large companies and will fund half of their total project costs as required by the guidelines. All the activities by the industrial partners fall into the "Fundamental Research" category within Innovate UK guidelines. Approximately 70 % will be spend overseas for field work and to cover the time allocated by the experts in the cocoa value chain. A detailed breakdown of the roles and times is provided in the finance forms. The development of the data platform and modelling tools, as well as the pilot studies using them, are specialized and labour intensive. As result, most of the R&D funding by Innovate UK will cover salary costs. 2/3rds of the budget allocated overseas will be used by the industrial partners (business). The project involves field work in the study areas of Arauca, and travel and subsistence for that are requested by all the partners.
Collaborator Contribution As part of the impact that GROW has, we have agreed on a new proposal and a collaborative agreement to work with Cacao.
Impact We have written a proposal and signed an agreement to work together.
Start Year 2018
 
Description BiG data Analytics for a sustainable, competitive and inclusive Cacao value chain in Colombia 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have agreed on a proposal led by Earlham Institute, a research institution in the UK, to explore the commercial potential by building a data platform and using it in pilot feasibility projects. The length of the project is 18 months. There are two additional academic partners involved in the project, the University of Reading in the UK and the University of Los Andes (UniAndes) in Bogota, Colombia. Their expertise is key to achieve the objectives of the project in specific tasks that are not covered by the industrial partners. The costs of the three non-industrial partners does not exceed 50 % of the total project, and will mainly be used to cover the salary costs of developing the platform (EI), collecting data for cadmium tolerance (Reading), and economic modelling (UniAndes). Three industrial partners (business) from Colombia, with expertise in different stages of the cocoa value chain, are involved in the proposal. Their combined budget is 50 % of the total project. Fromnativo is a SME, while Fedecacao and Casa Luker are large companies and will fund half of their total project costs as required by the guidelines. All the activities by the industrial partners fall into the "Fundamental Research" category within Innovate UK guidelines. Approximately 70 % will be spend overseas for field work and to cover the time allocated by the experts in the cocoa value chain. A detailed breakdown of the roles and times is provided in the finance forms. The development of the data platform and modelling tools, as well as the pilot studies using them, are specialized and labour intensive. As result, most of the R&D funding by Innovate UK will cover salary costs. 2/3rds of the budget allocated overseas will be used by the industrial partners (business). The project involves field work in the study areas of Arauca, and travel and subsistence for that are requested by all the partners.
Collaborator Contribution As part of the impact that GROW has, we have agreed on a new proposal and a collaborative agreement to work with Cacao.
Impact We have written a proposal and signed an agreement to work together.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation CGIAR
Department International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Catholic University of Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology of Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Colombian Sugarcane Research Center
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation CorpoGen
Country Colombia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation EAFIT University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation EAFIT University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Jorge Tadeo Lozano University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation National University of Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation Saint Thomas Aquinas University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation The National Academic Network of Advanced Technology
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation University of Antioquia
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description C3Biodiversidad: Colombian Cyberinfrastructure Consortium for Biodiversity (Consorcio Colombiano de Ciberinfraestructura para la Biodiversidad) 
Organisation University of the Llanos
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution C3Biodiversidad was created in a visionary workshop in Bogota from 26th to 28th June organised by GROW by a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) system of Colombia, with the assistance of a panel of independent international experts . C3Biodiversidad is open to any stakeholder interested in the development of a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia.
Collaborator Contribution C3Biodiversidad aims to develop a scientific cyberinfrastructure in Colombia for the analysis of scientific data, especially biological, genomic and socioeconomic data. The objectives of C3Biodiversidad are: Growth skills in data analysis in Colombia, accelerate data-oriented research in Colombia, facilitate data-supported decision-making, secure the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the previous objectives.
Impact The Colombian Consortium of Cyberinfrastructure for Biodiversity aims to produce the following products for dissemination: A statement about its objectives and constitution, a strategy or white paper for the dissemination of the conclusions of the workshop in policy-making institutions, especially in Colombia and the United Kingdom, instruments for the coordination of the consortium using social networks (Slack, WhatsApp, Twitter @C3Biodiversidad, etc.), an informative note for dissemination in the national media, especially from Colombia and the United Kingdom, and an article in an international scientific journal.
Start Year 2018
 
Description CacaoBio-Caqueta - GROW Colombia 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how diversity can help with disease resistance in cacao species and includes participants from Universidad del Rosario, Agrosavia and Universidad de los Andes. This aligns well with the expedition planned by Colciencias (MinCiencias) as part of the Colombia Bio programme, which will document the diversity of cacao species in different regions. The GROW project will document the expedition as part of a public engagement and dissemination effort. The proposed project aims to characterise genomic data for representatives of Colombian species of Theobroma and Herrania -this will be facilitated by the data already generated for cacao (200 genomes in a paper by Motamayor) that will make genome assembly easier-; and population genetic analysis of the two most important cacao phytopathogens, Phytophthora and Moniliophthora roreri. The data may also be used to understand evolutionary processes, specifically mode of speciation in rain forests. From the pathogens side, despite their importance, cacao diseases have not been extensively studied in Colombia. Fungi present in related plant species may constitute the diversity reservoir of pathogens for this important crop. The study of the plant diseases can help in the design of diagnostic tools and of appropriate control strategies. The Natural Diversity Programme of GROW will explore the diversity of cacao and its wild relatives. Agrosavia led and organized the logistics of the first phase of the CacaoBio Expedition in Caquetá region. Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve researchers to aid in the fied part. From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (9 Theobroma and 4 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve researchers to aid in the fied part. Universidad del Rosario served as the advisor for the Expedition. Colciencias (MinCiencias) was the funding agency for this Expedition. The preliminary results of the expedition to explore the diversity of caco and its wild relatives are now being processed. The second phase will start later this year and will explore the Choco region with particular focus on contact with local communities. A documentary about the cacao expeditions will be made in October and November 2018. NHM will be leading any work on the project that requires the recovery and analysis of genome sequencing data from museum, herbarium or other archival collections, where DNA quality and quantity is likely to be impaired due to storage. These samples will enable us to better estimate genome diversity across a wider distribution than would be available from modern sampling alone, and also changes in diversity through time. We will be delivering training on the use of ancient DNA in biodiversity research both in the UK and in Colombia. We have now recruited a postdoctoral research who will be helping to deliver on the research and training components of the NHM project. His expertise is in genome data analysis, particularly through the use of chromosome painting approaches. As such, our current focus in this research objective is to identify.
Impact From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (9 Theobroma and 4 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). This project has multidisciplinary expertise from Colombia and the UK. So far, samples of wild relatives of Cacao have been collected in Caqueta, Colombia. The samples are currently being processed. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085. Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Start Year 2018
 
Description CacaoBio-Caqueta - GROW Colombia 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how diversity can help with disease resistance in cacao species and includes participants from Universidad del Rosario, Agrosavia and Universidad de los Andes. This aligns well with the expedition planned by Colciencias (MinCiencias) as part of the Colombia Bio programme, which will document the diversity of cacao species in different regions. The GROW project will document the expedition as part of a public engagement and dissemination effort. The proposed project aims to characterise genomic data for representatives of Colombian species of Theobroma and Herrania -this will be facilitated by the data already generated for cacao (200 genomes in a paper by Motamayor) that will make genome assembly easier-; and population genetic analysis of the two most important cacao phytopathogens, Phytophthora and Moniliophthora roreri. The data may also be used to understand evolutionary processes, specifically mode of speciation in rain forests. From the pathogens side, despite their importance, cacao diseases have not been extensively studied in Colombia. Fungi present in related plant species may constitute the diversity reservoir of pathogens for this important crop. The study of the plant diseases can help in the design of diagnostic tools and of appropriate control strategies. The Natural Diversity Programme of GROW will explore the diversity of cacao and its wild relatives. Agrosavia led and organized the logistics of the first phase of the CacaoBio Expedition in Caquetá region. Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve researchers to aid in the fied part. From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (9 Theobroma and 4 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve researchers to aid in the fied part. Universidad del Rosario served as the advisor for the Expedition. Colciencias (MinCiencias) was the funding agency for this Expedition. The preliminary results of the expedition to explore the diversity of caco and its wild relatives are now being processed. The second phase will start later this year and will explore the Choco region with particular focus on contact with local communities. A documentary about the cacao expeditions will be made in October and November 2018. NHM will be leading any work on the project that requires the recovery and analysis of genome sequencing data from museum, herbarium or other archival collections, where DNA quality and quantity is likely to be impaired due to storage. These samples will enable us to better estimate genome diversity across a wider distribution than would be available from modern sampling alone, and also changes in diversity through time. We will be delivering training on the use of ancient DNA in biodiversity research both in the UK and in Colombia. We have now recruited a postdoctoral research who will be helping to deliver on the research and training components of the NHM project. His expertise is in genome data analysis, particularly through the use of chromosome painting approaches. As such, our current focus in this research objective is to identify.
Impact From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (9 Theobroma and 4 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). This project has multidisciplinary expertise from Colombia and the UK. So far, samples of wild relatives of Cacao have been collected in Caqueta, Colombia. The samples are currently being processed. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085. Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Start Year 2018
 
Description CacaoBio-Chocó - GROW Colombia 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how diversity can help with disease resistance in cacao species and includes participants from Universidad del Rosario, Agrosavia and Universidad de los Andes. This aligns well with the expedition planned by Colciencias (MinCiencias) as part of the Colombia Bio programme, which will document the diversity of cacao species in different regions. The proposed project aims to characterise genomic data for representatives of Colombian species of Theobroma and Herrania -this will be facilitated by the data already generated for cacao (200 genomes in a paper by Motamayor) that will make genome assembly easier-; and population genetic analysis of the two most important cacao phytopathogens, Phytophthora and Moniliophthora roreri. The project also aims to identify genes associated with cadmium metabolism, a heavy metal that can be toxic for humans. The data may also be used to understand evolutionary processes, specifically mode of speciation in rain forests. From the pathogens side, despite their importance, cacao diseases have not been extensively studied in Colombia. Fungi present in related plant species may constitute the diversity reservoir of pathogens for this important crop. The study of the plant diseases can help in the design of diagnostic tools and of appropriate control strategies. The Natural Diversity Programme of GROW will explore the diversity of cacao and its wild relatives. Universidad de los Andes led and organized the logistics of the second phase of the CacaoBio Expedition in Chocó region. Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve reserachers to aid in the fied part. Uniandes also coordinated a capacity-building activity for local growers, as part of the Expedition. From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (7 Theobroma and 6 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). One sample was sent for Illumina whole-genome-sequencing to Novogene USA. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description A manuscript about participatory action research in Chocó region is in preparation regarding cadmium presence in soils.
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve reserachers to aid in the fied part. Universidad del Rosario served as the advisor for the Expedition. Colciencias (MinCiencias) was the funding agency for this Expedition. Agrosavia has a map of heavy metal soil distribution in Colombia that will share with Universidad de los Andes.
Impact From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (7 Theobroma and 6 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). One sample was sent for Ilumina whole-genome-sequencing to Novogene USA. This project has multidisciplinary expertise from Colombia and the UK. As a first outcome, Universidad de Los Andes facilitated the interaction with local communities and growers in Chocó region. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Start Year 2018
 
Description CacaoBio-Chocó - GROW Colombia 
Organisation Del Rosario University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how diversity can help with disease resistance in cacao species and includes participants from Universidad del Rosario, Agrosavia and Universidad de los Andes. This aligns well with the expedition planned by Colciencias (MinCiencias) as part of the Colombia Bio programme, which will document the diversity of cacao species in different regions. The proposed project aims to characterise genomic data for representatives of Colombian species of Theobroma and Herrania -this will be facilitated by the data already generated for cacao (200 genomes in a paper by Motamayor) that will make genome assembly easier-; and population genetic analysis of the two most important cacao phytopathogens, Phytophthora and Moniliophthora roreri. The project also aims to identify genes associated with cadmium metabolism, a heavy metal that can be toxic for humans. The data may also be used to understand evolutionary processes, specifically mode of speciation in rain forests. From the pathogens side, despite their importance, cacao diseases have not been extensively studied in Colombia. Fungi present in related plant species may constitute the diversity reservoir of pathogens for this important crop. The study of the plant diseases can help in the design of diagnostic tools and of appropriate control strategies. The Natural Diversity Programme of GROW will explore the diversity of cacao and its wild relatives. Universidad de los Andes led and organized the logistics of the second phase of the CacaoBio Expedition in Chocó region. Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve reserachers to aid in the fied part. Uniandes also coordinated a capacity-building activity for local growers, as part of the Expedition. From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (7 Theobroma and 6 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). One sample was sent for Illumina whole-genome-sequencing to Novogene USA. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description A manuscript about participatory action research in Chocó region is in preparation regarding cadmium presence in soils.
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve reserachers to aid in the fied part. Universidad del Rosario served as the advisor for the Expedition. Colciencias (MinCiencias) was the funding agency for this Expedition. Agrosavia has a map of heavy metal soil distribution in Colombia that will share with Universidad de los Andes.
Impact From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (7 Theobroma and 6 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). One sample was sent for Ilumina whole-genome-sequencing to Novogene USA. This project has multidisciplinary expertise from Colombia and the UK. As a first outcome, Universidad de Los Andes facilitated the interaction with local communities and growers in Chocó region. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Start Year 2018
 
Description CacaoBio-Chocó - GROW Colombia 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how diversity can help with disease resistance in cacao species and includes participants from Universidad del Rosario, Agrosavia and Universidad de los Andes. This aligns well with the expedition planned by Colciencias (MinCiencias) as part of the Colombia Bio programme, which will document the diversity of cacao species in different regions. The proposed project aims to characterise genomic data for representatives of Colombian species of Theobroma and Herrania -this will be facilitated by the data already generated for cacao (200 genomes in a paper by Motamayor) that will make genome assembly easier-; and population genetic analysis of the two most important cacao phytopathogens, Phytophthora and Moniliophthora roreri. The project also aims to identify genes associated with cadmium metabolism, a heavy metal that can be toxic for humans. The data may also be used to understand evolutionary processes, specifically mode of speciation in rain forests. From the pathogens side, despite their importance, cacao diseases have not been extensively studied in Colombia. Fungi present in related plant species may constitute the diversity reservoir of pathogens for this important crop. The study of the plant diseases can help in the design of diagnostic tools and of appropriate control strategies. The Natural Diversity Programme of GROW will explore the diversity of cacao and its wild relatives. Universidad de los Andes led and organized the logistics of the second phase of the CacaoBio Expedition in Chocó region. Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve reserachers to aid in the fied part. Uniandes also coordinated a capacity-building activity for local growers, as part of the Expedition. From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (7 Theobroma and 6 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). One sample was sent for Illumina whole-genome-sequencing to Novogene USA. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description A manuscript about participatory action research in Chocó region is in preparation regarding cadmium presence in soils.
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes and Agrosavia sent twelve reserachers to aid in the fied part. Universidad del Rosario served as the advisor for the Expedition. Colciencias (MinCiencias) was the funding agency for this Expedition. Agrosavia has a map of heavy metal soil distribution in Colombia that will share with Universidad de los Andes.
Impact From the collected samples, a total of 13 samples (7 Theobroma and 6 Herrania) will be used to complement the characterization of T. cacao wild relatives (GROW-Cacao Collaboration). One sample was sent for Ilumina whole-genome-sequencing to Novogene USA. This project has multidisciplinary expertise from Colombia and the UK. As a first outcome, Universidad de Los Andes facilitated the interaction with local communities and growers in Chocó region. From this Expedition, 100 samples have been cataloged and entered into Uniandes Herbaria (ANDES) collection. One manuscript published: Gonzalez-Orozco et al, 2020. Exploring the diversity and distribution of crop wild relatives of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Colombia. Genet. Resour. Crop Ev. 67:2071-2085 Dataset of samples available online: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8183e6f8-b995-4266-b9bb-96fb784d353d#description
Start Year 2018
 
Description GROW Colombia and Catapult 
Organisation Satellite Applications Catapult
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution GROW Colombia´s socioeconomic team to work with Satellite Applications Catapult to explore opportunities around the Catapult's Colombian Cocoa Control System (COLCO) and develop research in the context of sustainable cacao farming.
Collaborator Contribution Catapult's COLCO team aim to develop an ecosystem of support for cacao farmers and producers and help to transform quality and yield in the pre- and post-harvest phases of the cacao supply chain. Catapult's COLCO team have provided GROW Colombia's socioeconomic team with cacao supply side information and experience on sustainable cacao farming in Colombia.
Impact Not yet.
Start Year 2021
 
Description GROW Colombia and Newton-Caldas Fund winners 
Organisation Newton Fund
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution During the Integration workshop between the UK and Colombian organization involved in the Netwon-Caldas funding that took place in Colombia in October 2018, Federica Di Palma PI from GROW facilitated the integration between the Colombian and British institutions.
Collaborator Contribution During the integration workshop from the Newton-Caldas winners it was agreed that GROW Colombia and the Newton Caldas winners will unite efforts to develop capacity building activities and research activities. NERC and the Newton-Caldas supported the development of the BRIDGE day in 2018.
Impact Development of the BRIDGE day in 2018 Scientific and media engamenet training in Colombia with the PARAGUAS project ( Loughborough University) Newton-Caldas
Start Year 2018
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Aberystwyth University
Department Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias)
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation CGIAR
Department International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Colombian Sugarcane Research Center
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation CorpoGen
Country Colombia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation EAFIT University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation National University of Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Natural History Museum
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation The Eden Project
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation University of East Anglia
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation University of Sydney
Department Faculty of Veterinary Science
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Colombia partnerships 
Organisation Zoological Society of East Anglia
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of each of our partners to develop a series of research projects and goals to help understand Colombian biodiversity and develop recommendations for the continued preservation and sustainable use of natural products
Impact Further funding: RCUK-GROW programme BB/P028098/1; Multidisciplinary programme involving biological sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, social sciences, political science
Start Year 2017
 
Description GROW Memorandum of Understanding with Amazon Institute for Scientific Research (SINCHI) 
Organisation Sinchi Amazonic Institute of Scientific Research
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Institute brought together partners from Colombia and the UK with an interest in Amazon biodiversity to develop and collaborate on research ideas and proposals relating to understanding the preserving Colombian Biodiversity. An overarching memorandum of understanding has been agreed and signed in January 2019 (the BRIDGE Colombia resolutions was signed by SINCHI in December 2018) to cover ongoing collaborations.
Collaborator Contribution The partnership is multidisciplinary, calling on the expertise of SINCHIS's research groups on biodiversity characterization and conservation, sustainable use of timber and non-timber forest products, and socioeconomic analysis of sustainable production activities within the Amazon biome. Also, SINCHI participated as a key player on analysing deforestation and its casuses using different prediction models. Through this partnership we will be able to access socioeconomic data, biological data and access to Sinchis laboratory facilities not only in Bogotá, but also in several municipalities along the Colombian Amazone biome.
Impact Access to socioeconomic databases for agricultural producer in diferent states throughout the Amazon biome.
Start Year 2018
 
Description GROW-Cacao Collaboration 
Organisation Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how natural diversity of cacao and its wild related species can help with disease resistance and heavy metal translocation. The proposed project will reconstruct the phylogeny of the T. cacao and its wild relatives, identify novel sources of resistance to important cacao phytopathogens, such as Phytophthora, Moniliophthora roreri and M. perniciosa, and identify genes involved in cadmium translocation, a heavy metal toxic to humans. To this end, the research team will assess existing tissue and herbarium collections of Theobroma cacao and wild related species, as well as new materials collected in CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó Expeditions. The project includes participants from Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. GROW funded a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad de los Andes, who will carry out the research component of this project, as well as capacity building activities. The research team carried out a worldwide collection and herbarium database search to identify the most suitable collections to sample the desired species. Nine collections were selected and sampled in Colombia, the US, Netherlands and UK. In Colombia, a total of 107 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 67 at Herbario Nacional Colombiano, 14 at Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital and 26 at Uniandes (samples from CacaoBio Expeditions). In addition, four criopreserved samples from the tissue collection from Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt were collected and a sample from a living specimen from Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis. In the US herbaria, a total of 167 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 99 at the Field Museum, and 68 at New York Botanical Garden. In Netherlands, one herbarium sample was collected at Naturalis, and one herbarium sample at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in UK. Overall, we collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genera Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Several attempts have been made to obtain high molecular weigth DNA of Herrania sp. Initially, we aimed at collecting a living specimen of H. nyecterodendron for whole genome sequencing analyses at RBGE. However, this was not possible due to covid pandemic. Then, we sampled tissue of Herrania purpurea in Chocó region, however when we extracted the DNA was degraded. Lastly, we collaborated with Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis to locate a living specimen of H. purpurea in Colombian territory. This sample was used for DNA extraction and sent to University of Georgia for PacBio whole-genome sequencing. A total of 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens were performed, 107 in Colombia and 145 in the US. The team optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence, and thus we obtained a good DNA quality and concentration from the majority of the samples. Quality control was performed for all samples. We also standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WRKY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation.From these, the five WRKY regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Whole genome sequencing of 10 samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) were carried out using Ilumina pair-end sequencing. Reads were mapped to the T. cacao Matina reference genome and variants of interest were identified in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance. We are currently working on a manuscript including all these results, sequences generated from this project will be available on Genbank. The postdoctoral researcher of the project, Ana Bossa (Uniandes) along with Prof. James Richardson (U. Rosario) collaborated with a group of young researchers to develop a Workshop in genomics of non-model plants and wild relatives of economically important plants. The team included Maria Fernanda Torres (University of Gothenburg), Natalia Contreras (RBGE), Ana Maria Bedoya (U. Washington ) and Eugenio Valderrama (Cornell). They submitted a proposal to the STEM Action grant (Society for Science) which was not funded.
Collaborator Contribution Partners: Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes), Agrosavia, Universidad del Rosario, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Earlham Institute (EI). Several meetings were conducted between Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario and Earlham Institute to the approach within this project, such as selection of barcodes, sequencing technologies, and analyses approaches of wild T. cacao related species. Universidad de los Andes provided the extracted DNA from T. cacao wild relatives and bioinformatics training to the postdoctoral researcher for the proposed analyses. Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh helped locating the samples and establishing contacts with collections of T. cacao and wild related species around the world and will contribute with their knowledge about Theobromeae phylogeny. Earlham Institute participated with discussions about the methodology for the project. Collaborators: Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL), Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC), Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt, Field Museum, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Naturalis, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB). Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL) provided 67 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 31 Herrania sp. and 31 Theobroma sp.). Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC) provided 14 tissue samples (2 Guazuma sp, 4 Herrania sp. and 7 Theobroma sp.). Humboldt Institute provided four cryopreserved tissue samples (1 Guazuma sp, 2 Herrania sp. and 1 Theobroma sp.), as well as lab reagents to perform DNA extractions. Field Museum hosted the postdoctoral researcher for two weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 99 tissue samples (41 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 44 Theobroma sp.). NYBG hosted the postdoctoral researcher and a RBGE-PhD student for three weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 68 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 49 Theobroma sp.). NYBG also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from 145 samples in their lab. Naturalis provided one tissue sample from one Herrania umbratica and shipped it to RBGE. CIAT helped with shipment of USA-extracted DNA to Uniandes and hosted postdoctoral researcher for one week. CIAT also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from four samples (Humboldt) in their lab. Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB) performed a field trip to collect a living specimen of Herrania purpurea and then donated a sample for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing. All these collaborations are supported by donation documents, MTAs and national permits in compliance with Nagoya protocol.
Impact Consolidation of partnership between GROW Colombia, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. Collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genus Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence. Performed 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens. Standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WKRY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation. Reconstructed the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Performed whole genome sequencing of ten samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) and identified variants of interest in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance.
Start Year 2019
 
Description GROW-Cacao Collaboration 
Organisation Del Rosario University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how natural diversity of cacao and its wild related species can help with disease resistance and heavy metal translocation. The proposed project will reconstruct the phylogeny of the T. cacao and its wild relatives, identify novel sources of resistance to important cacao phytopathogens, such as Phytophthora, Moniliophthora roreri and M. perniciosa, and identify genes involved in cadmium translocation, a heavy metal toxic to humans. To this end, the research team will assess existing tissue and herbarium collections of Theobroma cacao and wild related species, as well as new materials collected in CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó Expeditions. The project includes participants from Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. GROW funded a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad de los Andes, who will carry out the research component of this project, as well as capacity building activities. The research team carried out a worldwide collection and herbarium database search to identify the most suitable collections to sample the desired species. Nine collections were selected and sampled in Colombia, the US, Netherlands and UK. In Colombia, a total of 107 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 67 at Herbario Nacional Colombiano, 14 at Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital and 26 at Uniandes (samples from CacaoBio Expeditions). In addition, four criopreserved samples from the tissue collection from Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt were collected and a sample from a living specimen from Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis. In the US herbaria, a total of 167 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 99 at the Field Museum, and 68 at New York Botanical Garden. In Netherlands, one herbarium sample was collected at Naturalis, and one herbarium sample at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in UK. Overall, we collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genera Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Several attempts have been made to obtain high molecular weigth DNA of Herrania sp. Initially, we aimed at collecting a living specimen of H. nyecterodendron for whole genome sequencing analyses at RBGE. However, this was not possible due to covid pandemic. Then, we sampled tissue of Herrania purpurea in Chocó region, however when we extracted the DNA was degraded. Lastly, we collaborated with Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis to locate a living specimen of H. purpurea in Colombian territory. This sample was used for DNA extraction and sent to University of Georgia for PacBio whole-genome sequencing. A total of 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens were performed, 107 in Colombia and 145 in the US. The team optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence, and thus we obtained a good DNA quality and concentration from the majority of the samples. Quality control was performed for all samples. We also standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WRKY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation.From these, the five WRKY regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Whole genome sequencing of 10 samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) were carried out using Ilumina pair-end sequencing. Reads were mapped to the T. cacao Matina reference genome and variants of interest were identified in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance. We are currently working on a manuscript including all these results, sequences generated from this project will be available on Genbank. The postdoctoral researcher of the project, Ana Bossa (Uniandes) along with Prof. James Richardson (U. Rosario) collaborated with a group of young researchers to develop a Workshop in genomics of non-model plants and wild relatives of economically important plants. The team included Maria Fernanda Torres (University of Gothenburg), Natalia Contreras (RBGE), Ana Maria Bedoya (U. Washington ) and Eugenio Valderrama (Cornell). They submitted a proposal to the STEM Action grant (Society for Science) which was not funded.
Collaborator Contribution Partners: Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes), Agrosavia, Universidad del Rosario, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Earlham Institute (EI). Several meetings were conducted between Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario and Earlham Institute to the approach within this project, such as selection of barcodes, sequencing technologies, and analyses approaches of wild T. cacao related species. Universidad de los Andes provided the extracted DNA from T. cacao wild relatives and bioinformatics training to the postdoctoral researcher for the proposed analyses. Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh helped locating the samples and establishing contacts with collections of T. cacao and wild related species around the world and will contribute with their knowledge about Theobromeae phylogeny. Earlham Institute participated with discussions about the methodology for the project. Collaborators: Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL), Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC), Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt, Field Museum, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Naturalis, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB). Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL) provided 67 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 31 Herrania sp. and 31 Theobroma sp.). Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC) provided 14 tissue samples (2 Guazuma sp, 4 Herrania sp. and 7 Theobroma sp.). Humboldt Institute provided four cryopreserved tissue samples (1 Guazuma sp, 2 Herrania sp. and 1 Theobroma sp.), as well as lab reagents to perform DNA extractions. Field Museum hosted the postdoctoral researcher for two weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 99 tissue samples (41 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 44 Theobroma sp.). NYBG hosted the postdoctoral researcher and a RBGE-PhD student for three weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 68 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 49 Theobroma sp.). NYBG also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from 145 samples in their lab. Naturalis provided one tissue sample from one Herrania umbratica and shipped it to RBGE. CIAT helped with shipment of USA-extracted DNA to Uniandes and hosted postdoctoral researcher for one week. CIAT also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from four samples (Humboldt) in their lab. Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB) performed a field trip to collect a living specimen of Herrania purpurea and then donated a sample for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing. All these collaborations are supported by donation documents, MTAs and national permits in compliance with Nagoya protocol.
Impact Consolidation of partnership between GROW Colombia, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. Collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genus Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence. Performed 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens. Standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WKRY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation. Reconstructed the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Performed whole genome sequencing of ten samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) and identified variants of interest in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance.
Start Year 2019
 
Description GROW-Cacao Collaboration 
Organisation Earlham Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how natural diversity of cacao and its wild related species can help with disease resistance and heavy metal translocation. The proposed project will reconstruct the phylogeny of the T. cacao and its wild relatives, identify novel sources of resistance to important cacao phytopathogens, such as Phytophthora, Moniliophthora roreri and M. perniciosa, and identify genes involved in cadmium translocation, a heavy metal toxic to humans. To this end, the research team will assess existing tissue and herbarium collections of Theobroma cacao and wild related species, as well as new materials collected in CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó Expeditions. The project includes participants from Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. GROW funded a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad de los Andes, who will carry out the research component of this project, as well as capacity building activities. The research team carried out a worldwide collection and herbarium database search to identify the most suitable collections to sample the desired species. Nine collections were selected and sampled in Colombia, the US, Netherlands and UK. In Colombia, a total of 107 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 67 at Herbario Nacional Colombiano, 14 at Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital and 26 at Uniandes (samples from CacaoBio Expeditions). In addition, four criopreserved samples from the tissue collection from Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt were collected and a sample from a living specimen from Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis. In the US herbaria, a total of 167 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 99 at the Field Museum, and 68 at New York Botanical Garden. In Netherlands, one herbarium sample was collected at Naturalis, and one herbarium sample at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in UK. Overall, we collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genera Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Several attempts have been made to obtain high molecular weigth DNA of Herrania sp. Initially, we aimed at collecting a living specimen of H. nyecterodendron for whole genome sequencing analyses at RBGE. However, this was not possible due to covid pandemic. Then, we sampled tissue of Herrania purpurea in Chocó region, however when we extracted the DNA was degraded. Lastly, we collaborated with Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis to locate a living specimen of H. purpurea in Colombian territory. This sample was used for DNA extraction and sent to University of Georgia for PacBio whole-genome sequencing. A total of 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens were performed, 107 in Colombia and 145 in the US. The team optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence, and thus we obtained a good DNA quality and concentration from the majority of the samples. Quality control was performed for all samples. We also standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WRKY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation.From these, the five WRKY regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Whole genome sequencing of 10 samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) were carried out using Ilumina pair-end sequencing. Reads were mapped to the T. cacao Matina reference genome and variants of interest were identified in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance. We are currently working on a manuscript including all these results, sequences generated from this project will be available on Genbank. The postdoctoral researcher of the project, Ana Bossa (Uniandes) along with Prof. James Richardson (U. Rosario) collaborated with a group of young researchers to develop a Workshop in genomics of non-model plants and wild relatives of economically important plants. The team included Maria Fernanda Torres (University of Gothenburg), Natalia Contreras (RBGE), Ana Maria Bedoya (U. Washington ) and Eugenio Valderrama (Cornell). They submitted a proposal to the STEM Action grant (Society for Science) which was not funded.
Collaborator Contribution Partners: Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes), Agrosavia, Universidad del Rosario, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Earlham Institute (EI). Several meetings were conducted between Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario and Earlham Institute to the approach within this project, such as selection of barcodes, sequencing technologies, and analyses approaches of wild T. cacao related species. Universidad de los Andes provided the extracted DNA from T. cacao wild relatives and bioinformatics training to the postdoctoral researcher for the proposed analyses. Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh helped locating the samples and establishing contacts with collections of T. cacao and wild related species around the world and will contribute with their knowledge about Theobromeae phylogeny. Earlham Institute participated with discussions about the methodology for the project. Collaborators: Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL), Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC), Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt, Field Museum, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Naturalis, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB). Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL) provided 67 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 31 Herrania sp. and 31 Theobroma sp.). Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC) provided 14 tissue samples (2 Guazuma sp, 4 Herrania sp. and 7 Theobroma sp.). Humboldt Institute provided four cryopreserved tissue samples (1 Guazuma sp, 2 Herrania sp. and 1 Theobroma sp.), as well as lab reagents to perform DNA extractions. Field Museum hosted the postdoctoral researcher for two weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 99 tissue samples (41 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 44 Theobroma sp.). NYBG hosted the postdoctoral researcher and a RBGE-PhD student for three weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 68 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 49 Theobroma sp.). NYBG also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from 145 samples in their lab. Naturalis provided one tissue sample from one Herrania umbratica and shipped it to RBGE. CIAT helped with shipment of USA-extracted DNA to Uniandes and hosted postdoctoral researcher for one week. CIAT also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from four samples (Humboldt) in their lab. Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB) performed a field trip to collect a living specimen of Herrania purpurea and then donated a sample for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing. All these collaborations are supported by donation documents, MTAs and national permits in compliance with Nagoya protocol.
Impact Consolidation of partnership between GROW Colombia, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. Collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genus Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence. Performed 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens. Standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WKRY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation. Reconstructed the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Performed whole genome sequencing of ten samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) and identified variants of interest in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance.
Start Year 2019
 
Description GROW-Cacao Collaboration 
Organisation Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how natural diversity of cacao and its wild related species can help with disease resistance and heavy metal translocation. The proposed project will reconstruct the phylogeny of the T. cacao and its wild relatives, identify novel sources of resistance to important cacao phytopathogens, such as Phytophthora, Moniliophthora roreri and M. perniciosa, and identify genes involved in cadmium translocation, a heavy metal toxic to humans. To this end, the research team will assess existing tissue and herbarium collections of Theobroma cacao and wild related species, as well as new materials collected in CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó Expeditions. The project includes participants from Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. GROW funded a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad de los Andes, who will carry out the research component of this project, as well as capacity building activities. The research team carried out a worldwide collection and herbarium database search to identify the most suitable collections to sample the desired species. Nine collections were selected and sampled in Colombia, the US, Netherlands and UK. In Colombia, a total of 107 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 67 at Herbario Nacional Colombiano, 14 at Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital and 26 at Uniandes (samples from CacaoBio Expeditions). In addition, four criopreserved samples from the tissue collection from Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt were collected and a sample from a living specimen from Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis. In the US herbaria, a total of 167 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 99 at the Field Museum, and 68 at New York Botanical Garden. In Netherlands, one herbarium sample was collected at Naturalis, and one herbarium sample at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in UK. Overall, we collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genera Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Several attempts have been made to obtain high molecular weigth DNA of Herrania sp. Initially, we aimed at collecting a living specimen of H. nyecterodendron for whole genome sequencing analyses at RBGE. However, this was not possible due to covid pandemic. Then, we sampled tissue of Herrania purpurea in Chocó region, however when we extracted the DNA was degraded. Lastly, we collaborated with Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis to locate a living specimen of H. purpurea in Colombian territory. This sample was used for DNA extraction and sent to University of Georgia for PacBio whole-genome sequencing. A total of 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens were performed, 107 in Colombia and 145 in the US. The team optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence, and thus we obtained a good DNA quality and concentration from the majority of the samples. Quality control was performed for all samples. We also standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WRKY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation.From these, the five WRKY regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Whole genome sequencing of 10 samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) were carried out using Ilumina pair-end sequencing. Reads were mapped to the T. cacao Matina reference genome and variants of interest were identified in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance. We are currently working on a manuscript including all these results, sequences generated from this project will be available on Genbank. The postdoctoral researcher of the project, Ana Bossa (Uniandes) along with Prof. James Richardson (U. Rosario) collaborated with a group of young researchers to develop a Workshop in genomics of non-model plants and wild relatives of economically important plants. The team included Maria Fernanda Torres (University of Gothenburg), Natalia Contreras (RBGE), Ana Maria Bedoya (U. Washington ) and Eugenio Valderrama (Cornell). They submitted a proposal to the STEM Action grant (Society for Science) which was not funded.
Collaborator Contribution Partners: Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes), Agrosavia, Universidad del Rosario, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Earlham Institute (EI). Several meetings were conducted between Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario and Earlham Institute to the approach within this project, such as selection of barcodes, sequencing technologies, and analyses approaches of wild T. cacao related species. Universidad de los Andes provided the extracted DNA from T. cacao wild relatives and bioinformatics training to the postdoctoral researcher for the proposed analyses. Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh helped locating the samples and establishing contacts with collections of T. cacao and wild related species around the world and will contribute with their knowledge about Theobromeae phylogeny. Earlham Institute participated with discussions about the methodology for the project. Collaborators: Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL), Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC), Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt, Field Museum, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Naturalis, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB). Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL) provided 67 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 31 Herrania sp. and 31 Theobroma sp.). Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC) provided 14 tissue samples (2 Guazuma sp, 4 Herrania sp. and 7 Theobroma sp.). Humboldt Institute provided four cryopreserved tissue samples (1 Guazuma sp, 2 Herrania sp. and 1 Theobroma sp.), as well as lab reagents to perform DNA extractions. Field Museum hosted the postdoctoral researcher for two weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 99 tissue samples (41 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 44 Theobroma sp.). NYBG hosted the postdoctoral researcher and a RBGE-PhD student for three weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 68 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 49 Theobroma sp.). NYBG also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from 145 samples in their lab. Naturalis provided one tissue sample from one Herrania umbratica and shipped it to RBGE. CIAT helped with shipment of USA-extracted DNA to Uniandes and hosted postdoctoral researcher for one week. CIAT also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from four samples (Humboldt) in their lab. Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB) performed a field trip to collect a living specimen of Herrania purpurea and then donated a sample for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing. All these collaborations are supported by donation documents, MTAs and national permits in compliance with Nagoya protocol.
Impact Consolidation of partnership between GROW Colombia, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. Collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genus Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence. Performed 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens. Standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WKRY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation. Reconstructed the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Performed whole genome sequencing of ten samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) and identified variants of interest in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance.
Start Year 2019
 
Description GROW-Cacao Collaboration 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The project aims at understanding how natural diversity of cacao and its wild related species can help with disease resistance and heavy metal translocation. The proposed project will reconstruct the phylogeny of the T. cacao and its wild relatives, identify novel sources of resistance to important cacao phytopathogens, such as Phytophthora, Moniliophthora roreri and M. perniciosa, and identify genes involved in cadmium translocation, a heavy metal toxic to humans. To this end, the research team will assess existing tissue and herbarium collections of Theobroma cacao and wild related species, as well as new materials collected in CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó Expeditions. The project includes participants from Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. GROW funded a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad de los Andes, who will carry out the research component of this project, as well as capacity building activities. The research team carried out a worldwide collection and herbarium database search to identify the most suitable collections to sample the desired species. Nine collections were selected and sampled in Colombia, the US, Netherlands and UK. In Colombia, a total of 107 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 67 at Herbario Nacional Colombiano, 14 at Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital and 26 at Uniandes (samples from CacaoBio Expeditions). In addition, four criopreserved samples from the tissue collection from Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt were collected and a sample from a living specimen from Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis. In the US herbaria, a total of 167 herbarium tissue samples were collected, 99 at the Field Museum, and 68 at New York Botanical Garden. In Netherlands, one herbarium sample was collected at Naturalis, and one herbarium sample at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in UK. Overall, we collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genera Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Several attempts have been made to obtain high molecular weigth DNA of Herrania sp. Initially, we aimed at collecting a living specimen of H. nyecterodendron for whole genome sequencing analyses at RBGE. However, this was not possible due to covid pandemic. Then, we sampled tissue of Herrania purpurea in Chocó region, however when we extracted the DNA was degraded. Lastly, we collaborated with Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis to locate a living specimen of H. purpurea in Colombian territory. This sample was used for DNA extraction and sent to University of Georgia for PacBio whole-genome sequencing. A total of 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens were performed, 107 in Colombia and 145 in the US. The team optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence, and thus we obtained a good DNA quality and concentration from the majority of the samples. Quality control was performed for all samples. We also standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WRKY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation.From these, the five WRKY regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Whole genome sequencing of 10 samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) were carried out using Ilumina pair-end sequencing. Reads were mapped to the T. cacao Matina reference genome and variants of interest were identified in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance. We are currently working on a manuscript including all these results, sequences generated from this project will be available on Genbank. The postdoctoral researcher of the project, Ana Bossa (Uniandes) along with Prof. James Richardson (U. Rosario) collaborated with a group of young researchers to develop a Workshop in genomics of non-model plants and wild relatives of economically important plants. The team included Maria Fernanda Torres (University of Gothenburg), Natalia Contreras (RBGE), Ana Maria Bedoya (U. Washington ) and Eugenio Valderrama (Cornell). They submitted a proposal to the STEM Action grant (Society for Science) which was not funded.
Collaborator Contribution Partners: Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes), Agrosavia, Universidad del Rosario, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Earlham Institute (EI). Several meetings were conducted between Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario and Earlham Institute to the approach within this project, such as selection of barcodes, sequencing technologies, and analyses approaches of wild T. cacao related species. Universidad de los Andes provided the extracted DNA from T. cacao wild relatives and bioinformatics training to the postdoctoral researcher for the proposed analyses. Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh helped locating the samples and establishing contacts with collections of T. cacao and wild related species around the world and will contribute with their knowledge about Theobromeae phylogeny. Earlham Institute participated with discussions about the methodology for the project. Collaborators: Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL), Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC), Instituto de Investigaciones Alexander von Humboldt, Field Museum, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Naturalis, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB). Herbario Nacional Colombiano (COL) provided 67 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 31 Herrania sp. and 31 Theobroma sp.). Herbario Forestal Universidad Distrital (UDBC) provided 14 tissue samples (2 Guazuma sp, 4 Herrania sp. and 7 Theobroma sp.). Humboldt Institute provided four cryopreserved tissue samples (1 Guazuma sp, 2 Herrania sp. and 1 Theobroma sp.), as well as lab reagents to perform DNA extractions. Field Museum hosted the postdoctoral researcher for two weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 99 tissue samples (41 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 44 Theobroma sp.). NYBG hosted the postdoctoral researcher and a RBGE-PhD student for three weeks, allowed to select best specimens for collection and provided 68 tissue samples (5 Guazuma sp, 14 Herrania sp. and 49 Theobroma sp.). NYBG also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from 145 samples in their lab. Naturalis provided one tissue sample from one Herrania umbratica and shipped it to RBGE. CIAT helped with shipment of USA-extracted DNA to Uniandes and hosted postdoctoral researcher for one week. CIAT also provided DNA extraction materials and reagents to perform DNA extractions from four samples (Humboldt) in their lab. Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis (JBB) performed a field trip to collect a living specimen of Herrania purpurea and then donated a sample for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing. All these collaborations are supported by donation documents, MTAs and national permits in compliance with Nagoya protocol.
Impact Consolidation of partnership between GROW Colombia, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Earlham Institute. Collected a total of 281 samples from 45 species from 22 countries, representing at least one specimen for each species of the genus Theobroma, Herrania, Guazuma and Glossostemon. Optimized a CTAB-based DNA extraction protocol for herbarium specimens with high polyphenol presence. Performed 252 DNA extractions from collected specimens. Standardized PCR conditions to amplify ten genetic regions (WKRY03, WRKY11, WRKY12, WRKY13, WRKY14, Vicilin, Trypsin, trnH-psbA, ndhF and trnL) in order to assess genetic variation. Reconstructed the phylogeny of T. cacao and its wild relatives. Performed whole genome sequencing of ten samples (4 Theobroma, 4 Herrania, 2 Guazuma) and identified variants of interest in genes associated with cadmium metabolism and pathogen resistance.
Start Year 2019
 
Description National Research Center for Coffee CENICAFE MoU 
Organisation National Research Center for Coffee
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We analysed dataset facilitated by the the National Research Center for Cofee as part of our project to to characterize the genomic architecture of the causal agent of the American Leaf Spot in coffee, Mycena citricolor.
Collaborator Contribution The National Research Center for Coffee provided Pacbio sequencing for our project. They also developed an infection assay coffee-Mycena to provide samples for our projects.
Impact Characterization of infection and candidate virulence factors involved in the coffee-Mycena that can be exploited for the marker-assisted selection of coffee varieties.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Peace with Nature workshops on biodiversity and development 
Organisation Government of Colombia
Department Embassy of Colombia
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Discussions and advice regarding the development of an strategy to work with ex-combatants to train them in biodiversity techniques and bioexpeditions.
Collaborator Contribution Guidance from the Colombian government on what institution should be engaged to align government peace proposals and project objectives with ex combatant groups, and build capacity on new productive alternatives after the conflict in Colombia.
Impact Better coordination and planning for the implementation of activities to build capacity for the ex-combatant group.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation BirdLife International
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation British Embassy Bogota
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation Del Rosario University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation National Natural Parks of Colombia
Department Amacayacu National Park
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation Omacha Foundation
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation University of Surrey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Skill-share trip to the Colombian Amazon and working group establishment on ecotourism 
Organisation World Wide Fund for Nature
Country Switzerland 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution During September 10 to 13 we had a skill-share trip to Leticia and Puerto Nariño in the Colombian Amazon, to collaborate on ecotourism promotion as a sustainable biodiversity use activity. Most important contributions relate with participating in two workshops on ecotourism models between Colombian and UK organizations. We made a presentation on the importance of starting form biological information as a base for Conservation Action Planning, and then, how this information is matched to a particular budgeting process. In addition, we presented the three main programs of GROW (natural diversity, agricultural diversity and socioeconomic programe) and start a discussion on possible collaboration to promote the implementation of the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area management plan. We proposed a new collaboration to promote ecotourism based on the GROW Colombia project and the BRIDGE working group, as a first platform to star a collaboration agreement with participating organizations. In particular two important remarks interested the participating organizations: a) DNA analysis of river dolphins using Earlham capabilities and b) socioeconomic analysis of supply and demand for ecotourism and policy recommendation. We proposed to continue activities under GROW project and also under the framework of the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Climate Fund of the UK.
Collaborator Contribution Participants like Amacayacu National Park and Canaloa Reserve shared their local experience on ecotourism, and community engagement. Fundación Omacha and WWF Colombia, presented their work to establish the Tarapoto Lakes RAMSAR area, and discussed the importance of implementing its management plan, including ecotourism activities. UK embassy presented some of their work on science and technology and on environmental issues. Among other, they talk about GROW Colombia project. Birdlife and Parades talk about the importance of birdwatching for ecotourism and how can their organizations help to promote this activity in the region. University of Surrey and del Rosario University presented some possible analysis over the ecotourism supply chain and its relation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Impact There is a press release form the UK embassy, taking about some of the outcomes of the skill-share trip. This was a collaborative effort with participating organizations and their communications offices. The press release can be found in: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-and-colombian-delegation-visit-the-amazonia-for-an-exchange-on-sustainable-tourism. Small diary on the activities and results of GROW project researcher's participation. It will be published by mid October. We are organizing a series of meetings to formilize identified collaborations and possibly establishing a collaboration agreement.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Universidad de Los Andes and Alexander Von Humboldt Institute 
Organisation Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution As part of the research objective 1 from the Natural Diversity programme, Universidad de los Andes is working with the Natural History Museum in London and the Humboldt Institute in Colombia, we will contribute to the conservation of Andean bear, a vulnerable species, by identifying the factors involved in its population decline - helping to promote the country's breathtaking biodiversity while making a positive economic and social impact on local communities.
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes will share with Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute 20 samples of Andean bear feces from previous projects in order to contribute to their analyses.
Impact Signed MTA between Universidad de los Andes and Alexander Von Humboldt Institute for sharing Andean bear feces samples. Humboldt Institute received 20 samples of Andean bear feces. DNA extractions were performed and the quality of the isolated DNA was examined. In average, DNA concentration was calculated, at Humboldt's laboratory, as 11.5 ng/ul per sample. Samples were included in the export permit granted by the ministry of environment of Colombia and sent to Earlham Institute in October 2020. The molecular lab at Earlham Institute checked DNA quality and quantity and the average DNA concentration per sample was 6.3 ng/ul. Samples will be sent for sequencing in 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Universidad de Los Andes and Alexander Von Humboldt Institute 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution As part of the research objective 1 from the Natural Diversity programme, Universidad de los Andes is working with the Natural History Museum in London and the Humboldt Institute in Colombia, we will contribute to the conservation of Andean bear, a vulnerable species, by identifying the factors involved in its population decline - helping to promote the country's breathtaking biodiversity while making a positive economic and social impact on local communities.
Collaborator Contribution Universidad de los Andes will share with Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute 20 samples of Andean bear feces from previous projects in order to contribute to their analyses.
Impact Signed MTA between Universidad de los Andes and Alexander Von Humboldt Institute for sharing Andean bear feces samples. Humboldt Institute received 20 samples of Andean bear feces. DNA extractions were performed and the quality of the isolated DNA was examined. In average, DNA concentration was calculated, at Humboldt's laboratory, as 11.5 ng/ul per sample. Samples were included in the export permit granted by the ministry of environment of Colombia and sent to Earlham Institute in October 2020. The molecular lab at Earlham Institute checked DNA quality and quantity and the average DNA concentration per sample was 6.3 ng/ul. Samples will be sent for sequencing in 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Universidad de los Andes collaboration agreement with Sinchi Amazon Institute for Scientific Research 
Organisation Sinchi Amazonic Institute of Scientific Research
Country Colombia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution An agreement with the Sinchi Amazonic Institute of Scientific Research was signed for the taxonomic identification of the Theobroma and Herrania herbarium samples from the CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó expeditions from ColombiaBio Project (MinCiencias). This samples will be used for crop-wild relative genomic studies.
Collaborator Contribution Sinchi performed the identification/confirmation of 43 herbarium samples that will be included in the Herbarium of the Natural History Museum of Universidad de los Andes.
Impact Performed the identification/confirmation of 43 herbarium samples that will be included in the Herbarium of the Natural History Museum of Universidad de los Andes.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Universidad de los Andes collaboration agreement with Sinchi Amazon Institute for Scientific Research 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution An agreement with the Sinchi Amazonic Institute of Scientific Research was signed for the taxonomic identification of the Theobroma and Herrania herbarium samples from the CacaoBio-Caquetá and CacaoBio-Chocó expeditions from ColombiaBio Project (MinCiencias). This samples will be used for crop-wild relative genomic studies.
Collaborator Contribution Sinchi performed the identification/confirmation of 43 herbarium samples that will be included in the Herbarium of the Natural History Museum of Universidad de los Andes.
Impact Performed the identification/confirmation of 43 herbarium samples that will be included in the Herbarium of the Natural History Museum of Universidad de los Andes.
Start Year 2019
 
Description University of Los Andes, Universy del Rosario and Earlham Institute (RAEng partnership) 
Organisation Del Rosario University
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a consortium to promote capacity building in data science in Colombia. Funding was awarded by the Newton Fund - Royal Academy of Eng.
Collaborator Contribution This is a consortium to promote capacity building in data science in Colombia. Funding was awarded by the Newton Fund - Royal Academy of Eng.
Impact two training workshops held at Uniandes campus in 2019 one Data Science summer school in 2020
Start Year 2020
 
Description University of Los Andes, Universy del Rosario and Earlham Institute (RAEng partnership) 
Organisation University of the Andes
Country Colombia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a consortium to promote capacity building in data science in Colombia. Funding was awarded by the Newton Fund - Royal Academy of Eng.
Collaborator Contribution This is a consortium to promote capacity building in data science in Colombia. Funding was awarded by the Newton Fund - Royal Academy of Eng.
Impact two training workshops held at Uniandes campus in 2019 one Data Science summer school in 2020
Start Year 2020
 
Description Visiting researcher at Cenicaña (Dr Nasmille L Larke-Mejia) 
Organisation Centro de Investigación de la Caña de Azúcar de Colombia
Country Colombia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution As a postdoctoral researcher for the GROW Colombia project, I will be analysing the sequence data of the experiment. This collaboration began in 2019 with the planning of the experiment, the fieldwork was done in 2020 and we will analyse the sequence in 2021.
Collaborator Contribution Our Colombian collaborators have engaged and contributed to the experimental plan, search for the appropriate sampling sites, search of other national collaborators to work with to achieve the objectives of the project. Because of COVID we were not able to travel to Colombia to do some of the field work in April and September 2020. Our collaborators have been proactive in looking for solutions, looking for people inside the organization that could do all the sampling and doing the essential lab work and DNA extractions.
Impact Application for further funding with the Newton Fund (unsuccessful)
Start Year 2019
 
Description 9th meeting of the International Society for Biomolecular Archaeology (ISBA9) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact JC Chacon Duque presented a poster, titled: "Using museum specimens to assess the genomic impact of recent population decline on Andean bears".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://isba9.sciencesconf.org/
 
Description American Phytopathological Meeting (APS) 
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 The American Phytopathological Society Meetings are annual conferences where plant pathologist from all around the world share their current work and explore networking opportunities. We presented a poster on our current results and planned activities of our project and attended conferences of current research in different plant -pathogen interactions. This participation was valuable given that one of the objectives of our project is to identify regions related to resistance to pathogens in cacao's wild relatives.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://apsnet.confex.com/apsnet/2020/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/17083
 
Description Ancient Biomolecules of Plants, Animals and Microbes 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact JC Chacon-Duque (GROW Colombia postdoctoral researcher, NHM) presented a poster in the conference, titled "Using museum specimens to assess the genomic impact of recent population decline on Andean bears"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/ancient-biomolecules-of-plants-ani...
 
Description Article featuring genomic work on Andean bear museum collections on NHM's website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact An article named "Using genomic research to save the elusive Andean bear" was published in early 2020 in the Natural History Museum's website. It featured our work on genomics and museum collections in the Andean bear research project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/using-genomic-research-to-save-the-elusive-andean-bear.html
 
Description Biodiversity Genomics 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact JC Chacon-Duque gave a talked titled: "Museum specimens reveal the genomic impact of recent population decline on Andean bears".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.darwintreeoflife.org/news_item/biodiversity-genomics-2021-sequencing-genomes-across-the-...
 
Description COP 26 stand 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Through our partner Eden Project, GROW Colombia could showcase its research and community engagement results in Eden Project's COP 26 stand. The stand received thousands of visitors during the two week's duration of the event. The stands received an estimated 1,000 visitors a day for a total of 14,000 visitors.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.edenproject.com/mission/about-our-mission/our-mission-sustainability/eden-at-cop26-act-n...
 
Description Cadmium in Colombian Cocoa: Research, Challenges and Mitigation Strategies 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This event was organized by SwissContact to bring together industry and academia interested in cadmium presence in cacao beans. It was a three-day virtual meeting where Uniandes, Colombian government and industry shared their current projects on cacao and cadmium research. We presented the current results on CacaoBio Expeditions and GROW-Cacao project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Canning House Sustainable Agribusiness and Innovation online event 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Canning House's Sustainable Development series of events and conferences focuses on the themes of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the aims of the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in a Latin American context.
Canning House created a Sustainable Development Series to take place in the months leading up to COP26. Their Sustainable Development Series began on 6th October 2020 with a webinar on Adaptation and Resilience. Following this introductory session, they covered key infrastructure areas in the Sustainable Cities & Water event in December, and then re-worked the renewables conference to focus on The Energy Transition back in March. The Agribusiness & Innovation conference followed their flagship Biodiversity event, organised in partnership with ECLAC, the ILO, the UN and The Dasgupta Review.

Panel session with panelists discussing the different areas in which innovation is at the heart of agribusiness, including production of biofuels, developments in agri-tech, and how digitalization is improving sustainability. The panel was followed by a presentation by Prof Federica Di Palma on relationship between agribusiness, biodiversity, and bioeconomics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.canninghouse.org/events/sustainable-agribusiness-and-innovation
 
Description Consultation with local communities on the ecotourism routes for ATICOYA indigeous preserve and Tarapoto Lakes Ramsar area 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact During the first week of October 2021 we visited Puerto Nariño, in the Colombian Amazon, to make a presentation of the proposal fo three ecotourism circuits in the ATICOYA indigenous preserve and in the Tarapoto Lakes Ramsar area. This meeting was done with 22 representatives (curacas) from the different communities of the ATICOYA association. This gathering is called the WONE congress, and they meet periodically to discuss different matters associated with the communities problems. We developed a tool to receive feedback from the representatives and discussed future alternatives to continue the work during 2022. We also established contact with the new representative of ATICOYA, that was elected during the congress.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Doing Science with Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A talk on GROW's public engagement activities was given in the Natural History Museum in London in the frame of the Doing Science with Colombia event. The purpose of the talk was to give an overview of what had been achieved by engaging the public both in the UK and Colombia with GROW's scientific results. The talk was delivered at the NHM and reach out to an international public via the web.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Eden Festival of Discovery - Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The Festival of Discovery runs from 11th to 13th November 2021. The Festival of Discovery is all about exploring what a better future might look like for individuals and communities, under this year's theme - Together for our Planet. Coinciding with the end of COP26, we'll be debating ideas for a more sustainable future, connecting with people from across the UK through lively discussions, sharing top tips and activities you can do at home, and inspiring stories covering topics from community action, connection to nature, and growing, to wellbeing, resilience and much more!

Life without coffee or chocolate - live panel discussion
Why Colombian megadiversity holds the key to a more sustainable future.
In this session we will discuss why Colombia is so important to the rest of the world, the challenges it face and how these can be addressed and how COP26 and COP15 can drive meaningful change in one of the world's most biodiverse countries.
Purpose of the event;
1. to profile the impact and legacy of the GROW Colombia collaboration
2. to take stock of the outcomes of COP26 and what they mean for Colombia's future
3. to look ahead to COP15 in April 2022 with some advocacy messages to provide continuity between these global governance events.

The event was a large public engagement event aimed at audiences to bring science and the theme of biodiversity to a wider audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://thefestivalofdiscovery.com/
 
Description Expert dialogue with Colombian cacao sector stakeholders and actors 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact GROW Colombia's socioeconomic team presented to Colombian cacao sector stakeholders and organisations (Minagricultura, Minambiente, Fedecacao, CGIAR, etc.) preliminary results from the sustainable cacao production and consumption research. The objective of the expert dialogue was to gather information and feedback about the GROW's team research and to discuss opportunities for further collaboration.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Expert meetings to define key ecotourism birds for Caldas and Risaralda within the design of a PES for birdwatching 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We generated three expert meeting to identify key birds in order to promote birdwatching activities within Risaralda and Caldas departamentos study areas, located near Tatamá and Nevados National Parks. The objective of the workshops was to gather a series of experts on ornithology and birdwatching, ranging from Universities, NGOs, civil servants from National Parks and other relevant organizations, to prioritize key open and close spaces birds. We also generated a classification of different variables that are key in identifying biological corridors to increase key conservation birds' habitats. In the three workshop we engaged with nearly 30 experts (10 in each session). This results were used to generate the first biological corridors proposals and continue with the identification of opportunity costs and the development of a payment for environmental services scheme in the two study areas.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description GROW-Cacao video 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A short video about GROW-cacao project was developed with Manglar TV, aimed at reaching the general public in Colombia and UK. The intented purpose is to create awareness about the importance of Cololombian cacao and its sustainable cultivation as well as incentivate an identity of Colombian cacao.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description How to communicate science on climate change? ¿Cómo comunicar la ciencia del cambio climático? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact De Vega J,Arango J,Fog L,Calzadilla L; Virtual Press Conference. British Council Colombia. Bogota, 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Living Maps of Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Living Maps of Colombia is an environmental and climate change advocacy initiative aiming to transform the lives and communities of young people in vulnerable urban areas in Colombia. Specifically, the initiative articulates connections between vulnerable school children and their surrounding environments. It demonstrates the value that these children place on nature, and allows them to understand their role as change agents in its transformation. Living Maps uses a creative approach based on flow learning, emotional mapping, and place phenomenology, awakening children's interest, focusing their attention, and connecting their emotions with nature. 56 school teachers from 38 schools in Bogotá, Medellín and Cali have been trained in the approach. 13 school teachers have applied it together with 390 students. Moreover, three workshops have taken place to document the Living Maps experience and showcase its results to Colombian and global decision makers at COP 26 in Glasgow, Nov. 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.growcolombia.org/blog/living-maps-of-colombia-giving-youth-a-voice-in-global-environment...
 
Description Meeting to define the operational alternatives for a Landtrust to promote birdwatching activities in Caldas and Risaralda 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We held two dialogue meetings to identify the most important characteristics that a possible Land Trust can have in order to administrate payment for ecosystem services schemes in neighboring areas of Tatamá and Nevados National Parks in Risaralda and Caldas departamentos in Colombia. Both meetings had participation from National Parks personal and a local NGO, that is generating a Trust for the Chinchiná river basin. Based on these meetings we identified the possibility of generating a new administrative figure or nesting it into existing organizations like Pactos Por la Cuenca (Trust for the Chinchiná river basin), or within the local environmental authorities or within the Gobernaciones.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description NHM's Nature Live (online) - The Spectacled bear 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Post-doctoral researcher J. Camilo Chacon-Duque engaged with Cristina Torrente (Science communicator, NHM) in a conversation aimed at describing the way we are using specimens from museum collections and genomics to study the genetic history of the Andean bear and supporting its conservation. The event was live-streamed through YouTube with interaction with the public and is publicly available in the NHM's YouTube channel.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/nature-live-online-the-spectacled-bear.html
 
Description Plenary presentation - Biodiversity Genomics 2020 Virtual Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Biodiversity Genomics 2020 brought together researchers across the world to celebrate achievements in genome sequencing across the eukaryotic tree of life, exploring current challenges and their likely solutions, and look forward to the coming decade of the application of genomics across the globe. With major projects starting to deliver data at scale, new tools for sequencing and assembling genomes becoming available, and increased awareness of the power of whole genome data in understanding organismal biology and ecosystem processes, Biodiversity Genomics 2020 promises to be a milestone in the effort to "sequence life for the future of life".
Prof Federica Di Palma presented a plenary session on "Genomics for the new bio-economies" and talked in detail about the work of the GROW Colombia project and its impact on the bioeconomy of Colombia.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/biodiversity-genomics-2020/
 
Description Presentation Building a sustainable tourism strategy with indigenous communities to enhance the RAMSAR area Tarapoto Lakes in the Amazon (IV Congress resilient cities IV "climate change, water and health: crisis or opportunity) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The objetive was to present the main results of the characterization of ecotourism activities in severa communities within the ATICOYA indigenous preserve and also associated to the Tarapoto Lake RAMSAR area. Associate professor Ana Milena Molina from Nueva Granada Military University made a presentation entitled "Building a sustainable tourism strategy with indigenous communities to enhance the RAMSAR area Tarapoto Lakes in the Amazon" (La construcción de una estrategia de turismo sostenible con comunidades indígenas para mejorar el sitio Ramsar: humedales Lagos de Tarapoto, Amazonas). We presented some of the capacity building that the Military University has been doing for the last 4 years, along with the identification and prioritization of three tourism circuits, with the help of GROW Colombia Project/Socioeconomic programe. Between 50 to 100 people attended this online congress form different Latin-American countries. We showed that the capacity building activities along with the ecotourism business analysis are the bases for defining what is sustainable communitarian ecotourism from the local authorities perspective. There was a nice discussion on water governance and we planned for future activities in which we will develop an in-depth characterization of the most importan local ecotourism initiatives and future plans to continue the capacity building trainings.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://burodap.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Programa-de-actividades-11-Congreso-2021.pdf
 
Description Presentation at the Association of BC Forest Professionals 2022 Virtual Forestry Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Prof Kerry turner presented the following talk, ' Genomics, Economics and Policy' to the ABCFP 2022 Virtual Forestry Conference, British Columbia Canada, February 2022. This annual conference is aimed at the >5000 registrants covering forestry professionals and policy people. It is estimated that >50 people attended, the session and the presentation was accompanied by a Q&A facility which included biodiversity and sustainability questions relating to Colombia.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL http://www.pheedloop.com/abcfp2022/site/
 
Description Presentation on sustainable cacao farming at the 26th Annual Conference of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The GROW Colombia socio-economic team presented the results of the sustainable cacao farming workstream at the 26th Annual Conference of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE). The EAERE Conference is one of the leading conferences in the field. The presentation saw the participation of 50-100 among academics, practitioners and policy makers. The presentation sparked discussion and request for further information from participants and provided feedback for the GROW socio-economic team's work.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL http://www.eaere-conferences.org/index.php?p=228
 
Description Presentation on sustainable cattle ranching at the UK Network of Environmental Economists webinar series. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The GROW Colombia team presented the results of the sustainable cattle ranching workstream and the interactive cost-benefit analysis tool at the UK Network of Environmental Economists webinar series. The webinar saw the participation of around 40-50 among academics, practitioners and policy makers. The video recording was also made available through the UK NEE channels. The webinar sparked discussion and request for further information from participants and provided feedback for the GROW socio-economic team's work.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://uknee.org.uk/july-sustainable-cattle-ranching-systems-and-policy-decision-making-case-study-...
 
Description SINCHI and GROW presentation and debate on sustainable cattle ranching 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact GROW Colombia's socioeconomic team made a presentation to SINCHI colleagues in order to identify ways to share information on cattle ranching and deforestation, and define further collaboration activities. GROW's team shared updates about the sustainable cattle ranching investment evaluation tool. SINCHI provided sustainable cattle ranching information for further analysis.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Soil health case study submitted to the Microbiology society 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The soil health case study was presented to the '75th Anniversary: A Sustainable Future' of the Microbiology Society that looks into 'The role of microbiology in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals'. The article showcases the work that is being done by the GROW-Colombia project to undestrand the role of microbial diversity in sustaining ecosystem services derived from agricultural/managed soils.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://microbiologysociety.org/our-work/75th-anniversary-a-sustainable-future/soil-health/soil-heal...
 
Description Successful communications training 
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 This virtual traininig course amined at providing tools and techniques to develop communication skills so that the participants could create and leave a positive lasting impression. In total 12 participants from the GROW project and BRODGE network attended the training. Some of the topics that were addressed were: 1) assertiveness, 2) passive, assertive and aggressive behaviours, 3) importance of non-verbal communication, 4)inner thinking affects the way we communicate, 5) effective listening, 6) effective questioning, 7) constructive feedback, 8) dealing with challenging communication situations and 9) developing strategies to improve written communication. As an output GROW and BRIDGE iindividual memebers have developed action plans to take back to the workplace and start to implement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description The Royal Society Pairing Scheme 2021 - JC Chacon-Duque Academic Pair 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This week-long event has been held annually during about 20 years. The 2021 version was virtual, due to the ongoing pandemic. JC Chacon-Duque (GROW Colombia postdoctoral researcher, NHM) was selected as an academic pair to take part in the scheme. He participated in several workshops and presentations aimed to "provide scientists with a behind the scenes insight into how policy is formed and how they can share their expertise with policy makers. At the same time, it offers parliamentarians and civil servants the opportunity to investigate the science behind their decisions and enhance their access to scientific evidence".

This activities included sessions with the Science Minister Amanda Solloway, the Shadow Science Minister Chi Onwurah, and Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, Greg Clark, amongst others, as well as the participation in a mock select committee session switching places with politicians.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://royalsociety.org/news/2021/03/pairing-scheme-2021/
 
Description Time management training 
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 This training course on Time manegement involved 12 participats from the GROW project and BRIDGE network, including postdocs, Co-Is, research assistants and the management team. This training course aimed at helping participants to develop their skills in time management to achieve more effective results in less time. This was a practical course that introduced proven techniques for mastering time. The approach involved discussion to introduce the concepts of time management and practical exercises and syndicate work to develop personal skills. As output partcioants have reported to use the tools to imporve their performance on GROW activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Training Workshop 2020. Methods and tools for biodiversity and ecosystem services valuation and management. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The event specifically targeted practitioners from Colombian public research institutes who work in the field of biodiversity and environmental management. The main objective was to build capacity on how economic instruments can be used to study environmental and social sustainability, and how participants can use those instruments in their day-to-day activities. The objective was achieved through a combination of lectures and hands-on applications where participants worked in groups on real-world data and applications from GROW Colombia case studies. Moreover, the objective was achieved by highlighting the interlinkages between different economic instruments and applications so that also non-expert participants could appreciate the relevance of economic valuation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.growcolombia.org/courses/
 
Description UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub Event (COP26) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Event held at COP26 in Glasgow as part of a session organised with the UNFCCC (organizing body of the COP). Climate-KIC is working with the UNFCCC as a core partner in the UNFCCC Innovation Hub, to showcase systemic transformation efforts around the world and the need for greater efforts in this regard.

This session is part of the UNFCCC focus on Shelter. Shelter is one of the most essential human needs and at the same time one of the principal forms of expression of meaning, identity, safety and aspiration. Human shelter in its various forms - houses, offices, villages, cities, farms, factories, infrastructure - accounts for more than 70% of global emissions and is amongst the most at-risk elements of human existence from the effects of climate change, whether from storm surge and sea level rise, from extreme
rain and wind events, or water stress, heat impacts, insect plagues and wildfire. What we choose to do with our approach to shelter going forward holds the keys to our survival. The sessions in this Innovation Hub event will explore multiple perspectives, innovation ideas, research and insights, new businesses, movements, and collaborations with respect to the choices and options we have to transform our ways of thinking about and creating or re-creating shelter - to protect ourselves, to protect our future and to regenerate the planet.
The four topics anchoring the sessions will be: shelter as a human need and expression of relationship with the world, individual and social; shelter in crisis and as an object for climate adaptation innovation; shelter as a means to decarbonisation and climate change mitigation; and shelter as a means to reframe and renew our relationship with nature, reframing our planet as our shelter.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Virtual Summer school in HPC, and bio and data sciences in Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The activity consisted of five days of cutting-edge training on core skills for HPC, data science and data analytics delivered through the videoconference tool "Zoom" and targeted to Colombian researchers. Our Summer School provided a unique opportunity to attend state-of-the-art training delivered by world-leading academics and industry partners from around the globe, practising hands-on exercises lead by renowned experts, and networking with peers in an invaluable forum for knowledge exchange. The event had 35 attendants, split almost equally between students vs. graduate/senior/technical staff. As in the previous event, we observed under-representation of female participants and speakers (4/16, 25%) despite our effort to invite female speakers. In our future planning, we need to more energetically tackle the historical female representation in the computational and data sciences. We decided to add a cheap registration fee (£35) to prevent the no-show problem we had observed in other events, but we waive the fees for several students when requested.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://cybercolombia.org/summer-school-2020/
 
Description Website article on UEA ECO Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article on the UEA School of Economics blog about sustainable cacao farming and consumption and its environmental and economic consequences.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://ueaeconomics.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/more-than-just-bunnies-easter-and-the-economics-of-sus...
 
Description Workshop to identify key bird species for a PES scheme in Tatamá National Park 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We had an expert meeting with professional practitioners from National Parks, NGOs, local universities, in order to prioritize key bird species for Tatama National Park buffer areas, and for the Payment for Environmental Services proposal we are developing. We had a participation of 8 experts, and we identified neary 30 species, with an associated database of more than 15 different biological criteria.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020