Plant and Animal Genome Conference logo on display at the conference in San DiegoPhoto by authorThe Plant and Animal Genomics scientific conference was held in San Diego from January 10th to 15th. This was the 32nd time this meeting had been held, and this year it was attended by nearly 2,400 people from 65 countries (see table below).Attendees at the 32nd Plant and Animal Genomics Conference (Data provided by Steven Heller who has ... [+] chaired this event for more than 30 years)Table created by Author Genomics DefinedGenomics is a field of science in which the DNA of organisms is analyzed in order to understand the origins, relationships and functions of their genes. In addition to the academic aspects of this science, there are also a wide range of practical applications of genomics-related technologies ranging from medicine to industrial biotechnology to breeding and other improvements for crops and livestock. Together the investments made by these various industries have accelerated the cost-learning curves so that the expenses for key genomics technologies are now only a small fraction of what they were even a few years ago. This has opened the door to a great many real world plant and animal R&D opportunities.Dramatically Declining CostA key example of this dramatic progress concerns the technologies available for DNA sequencing. The Human Genome Project required 13 years and a budget of nearly $3Billion to document the code for the 33,000 or so genes that each human carries. Today the leading gene sequencing equipment company, Illumina, can decode DNA samples of that magnitude for around $200 in a few days. A company called Ultima has developed another sequencing machine that uses silicon wafers optimized and manufactured in volume for the semi-conductor industry in order to read up to 8 billion pieces, and then use AI to find all the connections that reveal the DNA sequences. Their price point is in the range of $100 for DNA samples at the scale of a human genome.An example of low cost genomics data: PAG conference pricing offer for running 30 whole genome ... [+] sequences of various subject genomes at the University of Minnesota Genomics Center using the Ultima Genomics UG100 systemTable by author based on handout from the eventMORE FOR YOUThe vitality of this industry was evident from the four large bulletin boards in the conference center covered with scores of job listings. There were 7 plenary sessions, more than 200 scientific presentations, multiple industry workshops, several large rooms full of posters and a very large exhibit hall with dozens of booths.Two of the four joblisting bulletin boards at the conferencePhoto by authorWhether it is through lab equipment and supplies or through the many tech service options, researchers and start-up companies can now take on genetic analysis and breeding projects that only a few years ago were only imaginable for the largest seed markets (e.g. corn and soybeans). There are state-of-the-art plant improvement projects described in a wide range of annual and perennial crops including a highly segmented and specialized crop like wheat or in specialized crops like Mangoes, Pomegranates, various cover crops, bioenergy crops, etc. Several talks concerned climate adaptation.What Is Being EnabledThe tools of modern genetics and genomics can enable three major process options for crop genetic improvement. The first is Marker Assisted Breeding (MAB) which uses traditional breeding methods that make the normal, random mix of thousands of genes on multiple chromosomes but dramatically refine that process because instead of need to grow up a huge number of the offspring to find the best combinations of genes, the most important genes can be detected even in each seed so that only the lines of greatest interest need to be taken to the next generation. This approach can make a huge difference for something like a perennial crop for which each generation can take many years, and it has already been widely used in major row crops.The tools of modern genetics are also enabling Genome Editing which is a method to allow very specific changes that might involve turning on or off a gene that is already present without adding any foreign DNA.The modern tools are also making it even easier to create Transgenic Crops in which highly useful traits can be intentionally introduced and accomplish goals that wouldnt be possible by Editing or Marker Assisted Breeding.The Regulatory Landscape Remains ComplicatedOne of the plenary sessions in PAG32 focused on the regulatory landscape which differs depending on the specifics of the genetic modification process and on the geography in which the crop might eventually be grown and/or marketed. For the United States and there is a defined and feasible pathway for all three of those major genetics approaches (MAB, Editing, Transgenics), and while that pathway may not be simple or fast, the agencies involved (USDA, EPA, FDA) encourage early stage discussions with crop developers to optimize the review process and expedite future commercialization or public release.The international landscape for the regulation of genetic modification is complex and, in some cases, unresolved at this time. For the most part a MAB approach is without significant barriers and genome editing may be fairly widely accepted, but that question remains unresolved for some very significant regions such as the EU where transgenic crops may face very significant hurdles.There is a certain irony in the fact that after 50 years of research conducted with self-elected caution and an intensive regulatory regime, a lack of international regulatory harmonization and brand protectionism will probably continue to constrain the full R&D potential that is now technically and financially feasible. Even so, advanced genomics will hopefully make a significant difference for climate adaptation and for meeting global dietary needs.