Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)

The Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) is an independent organization established as a Consortium of four main research institutions: the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). This innovative arrangement brings together diverse plant and farm animal research groups, and provides a unique nurturing ground for research and training, exploring the genetic and genomic determinants that are common for plants and animals. CRAG is devoted to leading-edge research in the molecular basis of genetic characters of interest in plants and farm animals, and in the applications of molecular approaches for breeding of species important for agriculture and food production. Research at CRAG spans from primarily basic science to applied studies in close collaboration with Industry. The Center is organized into four different Scientific Programs: Plant Development and Signal Transduction, Plant Responses to Biotic and Abiotic Stress, Plant Metabolism and Metabolic Engineering, and Plant and Animal Genomics. These Programs are supported by several state-of-the-art technological platforms, that are also open to the wider scientific community.

CRAG strives to translate the results of its research into benefits for society. It also aims to train the next generation of plant and farm animal scientists, who will play a vital role in helping to address the societal and global challenges of this century.