Working Group on Animal Biotechnology:

TF meeting 2008 (ISPRA): Establish a Working Group on Animal Biotechnology. “Mandate” to be definedAim: to encourage an integrated program of US-EC collaboration combining research, training and dissemination activitiesThe plan is to provide a vision and to guide the US-EC Taskforce in developing future own activities in the area of animal biotechnology research and seek opportunities and ways to foster collaboration on both sides of the Atlantic.

Animal GenomicsAnimal HealthBioinformatics (as part of above domains)

Enhancing selective breeding with genomic information,Sequencing and re-sequencing key agricultural speciesImproving assembly toolsExpression profilingDevelopment of genome-wide research tools

Immunology, vaccinology, epidemiology, diagnostics, biosecurity Integrate genome enabled technologies in animal health research e.g. identify genetic markers of health traits, understand host pathogen interactions

Data analysis needs, Coordinate databases and analysis tool development

Interactions among the agricultural science, life science and medical science communities are critical to:

Unravel what phenotype to expect from a given genetic code in a given environmentleverage resources share ideas and solutions

This working group will establish links to the existing working groups (Environmental Biotechnology, Bio-based Products, Marine Genomics and Plant Biotechnology) and coordinate activities with them as appropriateThe Working Group will essentially organize workshops and training under the umbrella of the Task Force

No more than 10 scientists, co-opted. In addition, 2 officials to participate as ex-officio members representing the EC–US Taskforce. The working group may draw on the expertise of additional ad-hoc temporary members, e.g. from industry or from developing countries, to prepare specific activities.4 Chairs will be designated from within the members, with co-chairing of 2 scientists representing respectively animal health and animal genomics, in USA and in the EU. Deputies may be appointed. The term should be 30 months.

Decisions should be based on consensus The Chairs will discuss among them and with the officials, on a regular basis, the activities of the Working Group and submit proposals to officials. The Chairs may be involved in the organisation of the events (workshops, training).The intended activities, especially workshops and training, should be put forward to the Task Force for approval.The Working Group should report on its activities on an annual basis. The initial term of the Working Group is for five years. If the Taskforce takes no further action, the Working Group will automatically sunset.

Finalising ToRDeciding on membershipWG to define priorities Already ideas for possible next workshops:◦ Targeted workshop on FMD (2011; in EU?; under TF?)◦ Phenomics, i.e. phenotyping/trait ontology (2011? In USA?)◦ Follow up to (livestock) bioinformatics workshop(s) 2009?

TATFAR: Transatlantic Task Force on AMROutcome of the EU-US summit Declaration (Nov 2009)KO meeting in June 2010Possible connection with TF?