4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year?
This report serves to document research conducted under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Agricultural Research Service and the National Council on Science and Technology of the United Mexican States (CONACYT). Work in this reporting period focused on the development of a general framework for the establishment of a binational virtual laboratory whose objectives are to provide access to advanced, cutting-edge science; monitor scientific trends; and assess the state-of-art in key areas of mutual interest, for the benefit of Mexican and U.S. agriculture and science. ARS sent an outline for the establishment of a binational virtual laboratory to CONACYT for review and opinion. The outline focused on further definition of the virtual laboratory, particularly administrative procedures.