Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) - A Case Study for Designing a National Plant Germplasm Information System

Abstract

The Germplasm Resources Information Network - Database Management Unit has been in operation for ten years. During this time, technology for managing information on genetic resources has improved and the demands for the information have increased. Many of the lessons learned by the Unit are relevant to germplasm programs in other countries and for other organisms. The most important lessons being: to maintain good communication between the system developers and the users; to keep the system flexible and adaptable to change; and to follow international standards whenever possible. The Database Management Unit is designing the third version of the software now and the system will continue to evolve as improvements in technology make it possible to manage more information, answer more questions, and communicate with other systems around the world.