Advancing Aquatic Genetic Resources and Germplasm Repositories Through Open Technology

The Aquatic Germplasm Center of Research Excellence (AGCoRE) was approved by the Louisiana Board of Reagents in 2025. It serves as a technology resource hub as one of the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Centers (AGGRC) to support Louisiana, national, and international needs in sustainable aquaculture, food security, biomedical research, conservation of imperiled species, and wild fisheries. The AGCoRE develops and sustains programs including technology innovation, additive manufacturing, and microdevice research and development.

The mission of AGGRC fits entirely within the missions of the LSU Agricultural Center, LSU College of Agriculture, and the LSU Strategic Plan by providing the means to protect, store, distribute, and characterize the genetic resources of aquatic species for use as biomedical research models, fish farming (aquaculture), support of wild fisheries, protection of imperiled species, and provision of food security. The AGGRC was developed as an intersectoral innovation and technology development center, and a highly integrated service unit with four interlocking programs: 1) basic and applied research, 2) technology development, 3) industrial-scale (i.e., automated high-throughput) processing, and 4) workforce development, engagement, outreach, training, and teaching contained within a single facility. Over the past twelve months, these programs have expanded in scale and scope into four closely intertwined yet highly specialized centers that work in close collaboration with each other under the conglomerate of the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Centers:

The Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center (AGGRC), directed by Dr. Terrence Tiersch, provides global leadership for development of germplasm repositories and commercialization of genetic resources for aquatic species through intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration by providing and maintaining research, animal husbandry, and administrative capabilities.

The AGCoRE, directed by Dr. Jack Koch, serves as a resource hub to support industry and community needs through technology development and expanded access for protecting aquatic genetic resources.

The National Aquatic Germplasm Center (NAGC), directed by Dr. Yue Liu, provides services and products relevant to repository development, such as sample processing training and cryopreservation kits.

The Global Aquatic Legacy Alliance (GALA), directed by Dr. Irene Marti Gil, bonds together a global community dedicated to protecting aquatic genetic resources through education, workforce development, outreach, philanthropy, and collaboration.