Types of GCOBs

theoretical challenges

challenges in the development of resources

Measure of Progress

Open ended GCOB #4 from Schwenk et al. (2009):

Understanding how genomes produce organisms.When are we done?

Goal oriented U.S. National Academy of Engineering –

Practical or technical

GCOB #9—Understanding the origin of species

Framework established 150 years ago (Darwin 1859), but the problem has not been solved.

Lack fundamental understanding of how biodiversity is generated or how boundaries between species are established. Limited cases in which we understand the specific molecular mechanisms that underlie reproductive incompatibility, adaptation, diversification, and speciation in natural populations.

Overlaps with GCOB #5 concerning stability and change – but more then phenotypic response

Some methods cheaper now – e.g. sequencing

Some more expensive – e.g. organismal collection

GCOB #10—Assemble the tree of life and catalog organismal diversity

Three missions: (1) Discovering biological diversity (2) Understanding biological diversity (a.k.a.,

AToL) (3) Managing systematic knowledge.

Systematics Agenda 2000: Charting the Biosphere (1994).

Hypothesis-driven research may not be the most efficient mechanism by which to complete certain projects - AToL or a catalog of biodiversity.

Goal-based versus Hypothesis-based Research

GCOB #11—Significant paradigm shift for supporting, capturing, and storing

biological information

Most biological databases are doomed to fail because that dedicated individual(s) who maintain a given database will simply not be there one day.

Genbank example

Gene function, networks, taxonomic knowledge

GCOB #12—Raise public awareness of the importance of organismal

biology

Hands down, this grand challenge is the biggest and most important for the advancement of organismal biology.