Biodiversity, Bioinformatics and Training

This Associate Program consist of two interconnected subprograms: a Biodiversity and Bioinformatics Subprogram and Training Subprogram. This program addresses many of the explicit goals of the ICBG program: pharmaceutical and agricultural discovery, scientific and economic development, and conservation of biodiversity. The countries of Kyrgyzstan, and especially Uzbekistan, face imminent, extreme threats to the environment and human health. Ecosystem degradation is rampant to the point that many natural ecosystems are under immediate threat of extinction. The data provided from this project will be used to guide local conservation efforts to focus on natural habitats that can provide important natural resources for human health. Central to the goal of spreading and gaining scientific knowledge is documentation (bioinformatics) and dissemination (training and publication) of research results. We will train participants through short-term courses in the host countries, invite visiting scientists to the U.S., provide post-doctoral training and establish international research collaborations to encourage scientific expertise exchange among all three countries.

The objectives of the training program are:

Exchange and sharing of knowledge: Initiate a scientific exchange and training program with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan for increased communication and sharing of scientific knowledge.
Intense, short-term courses: Develop and implement three short courses for a wide, professional audience. (topics: 1)Biodiversity documentation; 2)Medicinal plants and Value-added agriculture; 3)Conservation and Biodiversity documentation)
General Public: Disseminate research results to increase awareness of natural products, their origin, and the necessity of conservation in the host countries.
Visiting Scientists and Scholars: Invite scientists from host countries to the United States for short-term specialized training.
Postdoctoral training: Provide training in database development, scientific training education, and biodiversity and conservation studies.

An integral part of ICBG projects is the documentation of biodiversity for increased conservation and sustainability of natural resources, in particular plant, fungal, and microbe resources with potential positive human-health effects. To meet this goal, the biodiversity and bioinformatics subprogram includes the development of a bioinformatics database using NAPIS^® from White Point Systems. The database will contain each organism’s name, distribution, ecology, voucher, and health-related properties. The taxonomic/ecological portion of this database will be posted on the web for public use worldwide. The following four objectives will be in focus:


	ICBG Central Asia Project: Biodiversity, Bioinformatics and Training Associate Program (BTAP)

Home Data Collection Participants Publications Meetings and presentations Press releases Links & Resources for more information send e-mail to icbg@aesop.rutgers.edu
		This Associate Program consist of two interconnected subprograms: a Biodiversity and Bioinformatics Subprogram and Training Subprogram. This program addresses many of the explicit goals of the ICBG program: pharmaceutical and agricultural discovery, scientific and economic development, and conservation of biodiversity. The countries of Kyrgyzstan, and especially Uzbekistan, face imminent, extreme threats to the environment and human health. Ecosystem degradation is rampant to the point that many natural ecosystems are under immediate threat of extinction. The data provided from this project will be used to guide local conservation efforts to focus on natural habitats that can provide important natural resources for human health. Central to the goal of spreading and gaining scientific knowledge is documentation (bioinformatics) and dissemination (training and publication) of research results. We will train participants through short-term courses in the host countries, invite visiting scientists to the U.S., provide post-doctoral training and establish international research collaborations to encourage scientific expertise exchange among all three countries. The objectives of the training program are: Exchange and sharing of knowledge: Initiate a scientific exchange and training program with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan for increased communication and sharing of scientific knowledge. Intense, short-term courses: Develop and implement three short courses for a wide, professional audience. (topics: 1)Biodiversity documentation; 2)Medicinal plants and Value-added agriculture; 3)Conservation and Biodiversity documentation) General Public: Disseminate research results to increase awareness of natural products, their origin, and the necessity of conservation in the host countries. Visiting Scientists and Scholars: Invite scientists from host countries to the United States for short-term specialized training. Postdoctoral training: Provide training in database development, scientific training education, and biodiversity and conservation studies. An integral part of ICBG projects is the documentation of biodiversity for increased conservation and sustainability of natural resources, in particular plant, fungal, and microbe resources with potential positive human-health effects. To meet this goal, the biodiversity and bioinformatics subprogram includes the development of a bioinformatics database using NAPIS^® from White Point Systems. The database will contain each organism’s name, distribution, ecology, voucher, and health-related properties. The taxonomic/ecological portion of this database will be posted on the web for public use worldwide. The following four objectives will be in focus: Ecological Diversity: Identify regions of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan with a high natural diversity, especially of plants with fungal endophytes and epibionts. Bioprospecting and Biodiversity: Evaluate the properties of the organisms from natural habitats in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan . Bioinformatics: Develop a biodiversity database of investigated organisms and their properties. Conservation: Identification of areas with high biodiversity and organisms with potential as new drugs and crops.