Work packages
WP1: Plant genetic resources inventory and information systems
Lead: Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)
This work package aims at further strengthening EURISCO as a central European catalogue for European plant genetic resources (PGR), by developing standards for decentralized databases and their interfacing with EURISCO, generating a harmonized system of standards and descriptors for collecting and displaying phenotypic data and images, and developing methods and standards for passport description, inventorying, and population management of PGR maintained in situ/on farm.
WP2: Quality-certified ex situ and in situ management
Lead: Wageningen University and Research
WP2 focuses on improving the current infrastructure for PGR conservation and access by developing a quality certification system for genebanks and establishing methods and standards for multiple crucial aspects, including: next-generation ex situ and in situ management, conservation and sampling of heterogeneous/allogamous/clonal accessions with minimum loss of genetic diversity, safety duplication of accessions and minimization of viability loss, and monitoring and eradication of plant pathogens.
WP3: Research Infrastructure technologies and scientific services
Lead: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften (MPG)
WP3 will identify and validate genomic, metabolomic, bioinformatic and phytosanitary technologies and scientific services useful for PGR collection holders, the scientific community, and end-users. These services will constitute one of the key features of the future GRACE-RI and ensure to exploit PGR for sustainable and productive agri-food systems.
WP4: PGR evaluation and valorization
Lead: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAE)
This work package focuses on developing an effective and efficient system for evaluating PGR traits and agronomic characters to translate their potential into agricultural practice. This will be achieved by working in close collaboration with complementary initiatives – such as the ECPGR European Evaluation Network (EVA), the Minimum Information about a Plant Phenotyping Experiment (MIAPPE), Crop Ontology and EMPHASIS RI – and developing crop-specific standards and protocols for the evaluation of PGR phenotypic and agronomic traits, with inputs from end-users. WP4 will also disseminate these standards to the PGR stakeholder community and ensure the interconnection of the different phenotype databases with EURISCO.
WP5: Research Infrastructure concept, social and regulatory aspects, governance and financial plan
Lead: European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR)
WP5 will define what the proposed RI will look like by providing a technical analysis of the current RI ecosystem to avoid overlaps and duplications, by identifying its main stakeholders, promoters and users, and establishing its services, structure, governance and financial plan. It will also analyze the ethical, social, and regulatory aspects of the transition of the present PGR system to an integrated pan-European RI.
WP6: Communication, dissemination, exploitation and training
Lead: Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICH)
In close collaboration with the other WPs, WP6 will ensure multi-directional communication with project stakeholders, European RIs, governmental and international organizations, NGOs, and the general public, and disseminate project results through multiple channels. WP6 will also provide training to relevant stakeholders on ex situ and in situ PGR management, evaluation and valorization.
WP7: Scientific coordination and management
Lead: Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA)
WP7 ensures the smooth operation of the project by creating a framework to manage and monitor progress, and ensure objectives and grant commitments are met successfully and on time. It will also provide communication with the project consortium and the European Commision, and ensure the correct dissemination and exploitation of project results.