Introduction

Dr. Hamner opened the meeting with a brief description of the goals and accomplishments of the Biotechnology Center. The Center seeks to build a community of interacting partners to promote technological advances that enhance scientific, economic and social welfare in North Carolina. The Center is a leader in forming collaborations between industrial, academic and non-profit sectors of the scientific community. Advisory Committees have worked with the Center in the past to launch initiatives on diverse topics, such as genetically modified organisms, technology transfer, and forestry biotechnology. The Center uses a broad-based holistic approach and seeks advice and input from all sectors affected by biotechnology issues in order to implement successful programs. Dr. Hamner conveyed his excitement and enthusiasm for this timely initiative.

The field of genomics has advanced extremely rapidly in recent years and is just beginning to reach maturity. As detailed and comprehensive genomic information accumulates for many different species at a rapid pace, it is incumbent on the biotechnology community to prepare itself to properly store, manage and interpret this data. Dr. Hamner alluded to the large number of excellent resources in North Carolina that could contribute to the Consortium's effort to fulfill these needs. The biotechnology community has already unanimously agreed that the time for building an appropriate genomics data management infrastructure is at hand. This first meeting set the stage for establishing an effective and vital Consortium by building synergy and community among the stakeholders and member groups.

Consortium Overview

Multiple questions are facing this Research and Development Advisory Committee as it begins its work to integrate and promote the fields of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. One of the first practical issues is to identify members of the three proposed units of the Consortium. First, member groups must be identified from the industrial, academic and non-profit sectors of the biotechnology community. Dr. Tindall asked all participants at the meeting to help in identifying stakeholders who were not at this meeting and who should be contacted in the future. Representatives from these member organizations must then be chosen for two proposed advisory bodies; namely, this Research and Development Advisory Committee and the Consortium Board. Dr. Tindall indicated that the Center would fulfill administrative and coordination functions for the Consortium.

Focused work groups to be formed by the Center will chart the future of the Consortium. Some of the issues to be addressed by the work groups are: identity, goals, and structure of the Consortium; strengths and limitations of the Consortium; the role of the Center in the Consortium; definition of partnerships; identification of shared resources; definition of funding model and mechanisms. All these work groups will achieve their goals only through active efforts of the participants.

Dr. Tindall closed his presentation by emphasizing the great potential of this project. The Consortium will be based on strong strategic collaborations, beneficial partnerships, and efficient use of excellent resources. The results of this effort should yield a successful Consortium that could be a model and leader in promoting genomic-based biotechnology in North Carolina.