Kinard, Gary
Research Leader
(301) 504-5951
10300 BALTIMORE BLVD.
BARC-WEST; BLDG. 003; RM. 102 
Beltsville MD 20705

Directions (external link to MapQuest.com)

Home Page: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/psi/ngrl

Mission:
The National Germplasm Resources Laboratory's mission is to support the National Genetic Resources Program. Primary emphasis is on the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) the mission of which is to collect, document, preserve, evaluate, enhance and distribute plant genetic resources for improving the quality and production of economic crops important to U.S. and world agriculture.

The Plant Exchange Office procures plant germplasm through international and domestic exchanges of plants and seeds, documents and assigns unique identifiers to incoming material and responds to foreign requests for germplasm maintained in the U.S. In addition, it prioritizes U.S germplasm needs, arranges for and participates in international and domestic plant explorations, and studies the natural history and in situ maintenance of crop plants and their progenitors. Databases are maintained and information summaries prepared on useful and potentially useful plants of the wor d.

The Germplasm Resources Information Network Database Management Unit (GRIN/DBMU) develops and administers the computerized database of information on all germplasm maintained in the National Plant Germplasm System. The GRIN/DBMU is filling a similar role for insect, microbial and animal germplasm collections. 

The Plant Disease Research Unit, studies pathogens that infect economically important plant germplasm to help facilitate the safe introduction and exchange of plant germplasm.