Collaborative Oat Research Enterprise (CORE) Impact Assessment Report - Survey and Outcomes

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aran

Collaborative Oat Research Enterprise (CORE) launched in 2009 and ran until around 2014, uniting coordinated projects to build modern oat genomics and molecular breeding tools. CORE delivered experimental germplasm sets, a cDNA library and sequence resource, a SNP genotyping array, genotyping-by-sequencing methods, a relational database of genotype/phenotype data, a consensus linkage map, and foundational population-structure and adaptation insights. Impact was assessed via a survey to 130 scientists and citation/project dependency analyses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

History, organization, funding, and overall goals of CORE

Goals and evolution from the Big Avena SNP Strategy (BASS)

Prior marker platform (DArT) and improvements pursued by CORE

Achievements and impact of the Collaborative Oat Research Enterprise (CORE) Nicholas A. Tinker*, Eric W. Jackson, Sam Snyder, Tyler Tiede, Christian Azar, Ebrahiem Babiker, Steffen Beuch, Åsmund Bjørnstad, Alf Ceplitis, Shiaoman Chao, Sandy Cowan, Ziya Dumlupinar, Kathy Esvelt Klos, Tom Fetch, Steve Harrison, Catherine Howarth, Gongshe Hu, Yung-Fen Huang, Julio Isidro Sanchez, Rick Jellen, Fred Kolb, Tim Langdon, Baoluo Ma, Jeff Maughan, Curt McCartney, Michael McMullen, Shea Miller, Jennifer Mitchell Fetch, Edyta Paczos-Grzęda, Yuanying Peng, Elena Prats, Changzhong Ren, Jaswinder Singh, Mark E. Sorrells, Giorgio Tumino, Pernilla Vallenback, Charlene P. Wight, Louisa Winkler, Pamela Zwer. *[Author for correspondence:](Author for correspondence: nick.tinker@agr.gc.ca)[ ](Author for correspondence: nick.tinker@agr.gc.ca)[nick.tinker@agr.gc.ca](Author for correspondence: nick.tinker@agr.gc.ca) ABSTRACT The Collaborative Oat Research Enterprise (CORE) was initiated in 2009 and ran until approximately 2014. It consisted of a set of coordinated projects, funded investigators, and collaborators who were united by an over-arching goal of developing modern tools for genomicsand molecular breeding in oat. Principle outcomes ofthe CORE included: (1) sets of experimental germplasm,(2) a comprehensive cDNA library and sequence resource,(3) a SNP genotyping array,(4) genotyping-by-sequencing methods,(5) genotype/phenotype data housedin a relational database,(6) a complete consensus linkage map, and (7) a foundational study on population structure, linkage disequilibrium, and adaptation in cultivated oat. Here, we present the results of an impact assessment, which includes a survey sent to 130 scientists in the oat community. Of the 56 survey respondents, 15 were principle CORE investigators, 21 were nonfunded collaborators, and 20 were not involved with CORE. A majority (37) of respondents considered that CORE results were essential and/or had been used substantially in oat research, while 29 respondents considered that the results were essential and/or would be used substantially in oat breeding. Respondents also evaluated the impact of each individual CORE outcome on their own research. Most responses ranged between “indirect benefit” to “essential”, with the consensus map showing the highest proportion of “essential” ratings. Nevertheless, there were between two and ten respondents per question who gave responses of “I don’t know”or “no benefit”. An examination of text-based responses to “lessons learned” and“recommendations” suggested that there were a small number of researchers who felt excluded from the CORE project, or who considered that communication could have been improved. These and other lessons may provide guidance to future large multi-institutional research enterprises. We also assessed the impact of CORE through 33 key citations, and through a tabulation of 30 new research projects dependent on CORE results. From this, we conclude that CORE has had a major impact in enabling and encouraging ongoing research, and in building a strong and vibrant oat research community. Introduction The Collaborative Oat Research Enterprise (CORE) was the largest coordinated research effort in oat to date. This enterprise brought together more than 30 investigators to develop platforms for oat genomics, germplasm panels, phenotypic evaluations, and association analyses that could be applied globally to ongoing research and improvement of oat. While it is the consensus of most authors that CORE was a resounding success, every large enterprise is destined to encounter problems or to produce unexpected outcomes and lessons, and CORE was no exception. Large projects like CORE should be evaluated upon completion: not only to assess their impact and uptake, but also to publicize and promote further uptake, and to recommend future work. The objectives ofthis report are, therefore, to (1) provide an overview of the organization and or

FAQs

When did CORE run and what core mission did it pursue?

CORE began in 2009 and ran until roughly 2014. It aimed to create modern tools for oat genomics and molecular breeding through coordinated projects and shared resources.

What were the principal outcomes produced by CORE?

CORE produced experimental germplasm sets, a cDNA library and sequence resource, an SNP genotyping array, genotyping-by-sequencing methods, genotype/phenotype data housed in a relational database, a consensus linkage map, and studies on population structure, linkage disequilibrium, and adaptation.

How was CORE’s impact evaluated in the report?

Impact was assessed using a survey sent to 130 scientists in the oat community, analysis of 33 key citations, and a tabulation of 30 new research projects dependent on CORE results.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aran