The Cereal Genomics Workshop at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory will give plant biologists the skills necessary to navigate the increasingly complex genomics information landscape, and to identify and encourage young researchers who might choose plant genomics as a career by exposing them to the field's practice and practitioners. A major aim will therefore be to enable students and post docs to take advantage of emerging genomics data in the cereals. Specific problems and unique challenges exist in cereal genomics. Many of the genomes (for example, maize, wheat, barley) are large and complex, and it is unlikely that we will have completely mapped and sequenced genomes for these species in the foreseeable future. The cereals also provide the primary source of nourishment to the world's human and domesticated animal populations. In the USA, maize has been one of the leading model systems in plant biology, and has received considerable research support from both the public and private sectors. The large size and complexity of the maize genome precluded genome sequencing efforts until relatively recently. However an NSF supported program has now generated extensive genome survey sequence, and there exists a near complete sequence for the rice genome. The conservation of synteny between the cereals makes the rice genome an excellent model for maize and other grasses, as long as scientists are trained to exploit this resource and can access the necessary data.
The broader impacts of this workshop will be in exposing young students to the excitement of cereal genomics, as well as enabling more senior researchers to develop cutting edge research and curricular activities. It will also foster development of collaborations and cooperation among the participants.
