The Integrated Breeding Platform

The Integrated Breeding Platform (IBP) is a public web-based one-stop shop for information, analytical tools and related services to design and efficiently conduct molecular-assisted breeding experiments. The IBP aims to leverage advanced information and communication technologies to enable breeding programmes in the public and private sectors to accelerate variety development for developing countries using marker technologies for various breeding purposes. These include major gene or transgene introgression, gene pyramiding and complex marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) and – in the near future – genome-wide marker-assisted selection (GWMAS). The IBP gives access to marker services such as SNP genotyping. The platform also delivers support services to guide and train developing-country breeders in accessing and using marker technologies. Critical for the adoption of modern breeding technologies in developing countries will be supporting communities of practice on molecular breeding for the most important food security crops, developing local infrastructure to improve plant phenotyping, and appropriate and targeted capacity building. The IBP comprises three components: i) a portal and helpdesk (www.integratedbreeding.net), ii) a Configurable Workflow System, incorporating an analytical workbench, and, iii) a services component.  The IBP is being implemented in collaboration with14 initial ‘user cases’  (breeding projects for eight crops in 32 developing countries in Africa and Asia) to ensure tools and services meet priority breeder needs.