National Center for Genome Resources

What National Center for Genome Resources does

National Center for Genome Resources (NCGR) is a not-for-profit research institute founded in 1994 and headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The organization operates as a neutral convener partnering with government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry to advance genomic data science. NCGR's core competency is bioinformatics analysis spanning experimental design, custom software development, computational pipelines, data integration, and workforce training across genomes, transcriptomes, and metagenomes.

NCGR's core technology portfolio centers on a federated set of databases and visualization tools for plant genomics, anchored by the Legume Information System (LIS), PeanutBase, the Legume Federation cross-species data exchange platform, and the Genome Context Viewer (GCV) for comparative genomics. These are built on open-source frameworks (Intermine, Tripal, Chado, GBrowse, JBrowse) and complemented by proprietary pangenomic algorithms using De Bruijn graphs with machine learning-based region identification. Service offerings include contract bioinformatics (genome, transcriptome, metagenome analysis), custom software engineering for novel algorithms and visualization, and bioinformatics training (1-week workshops plus K-12 STEM outreach). NCGR also operates the NIH/NIGMS-funded INBRE Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core as research infrastructure for New Mexico.

NCGR's revenue model combines contract research services and grant funding from federal agencies (USDA, NSF, NIH) and private foundations (Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation), with a notable commercial engagement supporting Takeda's dengue vaccine program. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; engagements are established through direct collaborative relationships rather than commercial sales channels. The customer base spans federal and state government agencies, academic research institutions (UMN, UC Davis, USC, WSU, MSU, Indiana, WPI), and private industry including pharmaceutical companies. Go-to-market relies on peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and academic networks rather than traditional commercial marketing.

Name

National Center for Genome Resources

Legal name

National Center for Genome Resources

Website

https://ncgr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioinformatics Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR) (HLAGADAF)

Keywords

• Genomic data science
• Bioinformatics analysis services
• Custom bioinformatics software
• Legume genomics research
• Bioinformatics training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Fe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Contract Research Services: Bioinformatics and genomic analysis services provided under contract to government, industry, and academic clients
2. Grant Funding: Funded research projects from government agencies including USDA, NSF, NIH, and other research foundations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

NCGR provides genomic data science research and services, including contract bioinformatics analysis (genome, transcriptome, metagenome), custom bioinformatics software engineering, and bioinformatics training for researchers and students. The institute also maintains community genomic databases such as the Legume Information System, PeanutBase, Legume Federation, and the Genome Context Viewer that integrate genetic, genomic, and trait data to support crop improvement and broader life sciences research.

Product overview

NCGR is a not-for-profit research institute offering genomic data science services through a portfolio of interconnected databases, software tools, bioinformatics services, and educational programs. The core platform consists of the Legume Information System (LIS), which integrates genomic data across legume species and utilizes open-source tools (Intermine, Tripal, Chado, GBrowse, JBrowse). This connects to the Legume Federation platform for cross-species analysis and the Genome Context Viewer (GCV) for genome visualization. Species-specific databases include PeanutBase for peanut genomics. The service offerings include bioinformatics contract work (genome, transcriptome, metagenome analysis), software engineering for custom bioinformatics solutions, and bioinformatics training programs. Educational initiatives encompass both professional bioinformatics workshops and K-12 STEM outreach. The organization also operates the INBRE Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core as a research infrastructure resource.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Legume Information System (LIS) A USDA-funded collaborative community resource that integrates genetic, genomic, and trait data across legume species to facilitate crop improvement. Built on open-source projects including Intermine, Tripal, Chado, GBrowse, and JBrowse; serves the legume research community.
• Genome Context Viewer (GCV) A tool for visual exploration of multiple annotated genomes using microsynteny, enabling researchers to compare genomic context across different species.
• Legume Federation An NSF-funded project creating a federation model for legume databases to facilitate data exchange across legume species, enabling cross-species translational genomics and research community support.
• PeanutBase A species-specific database providing genetic and genomic data for peanut (Arachis hypogaea) to enable more rapid crop improvement, supported by The Peanut Foundation.
• Bioinformatics Services Contract or collaborative bioinformatics work including genome analysis (pangenomics, assembly, SNP discovery, structural variants, epigenetics), transcriptome analysis (de novo assembly, RNA-seq, small RNA, single cell), and metagenome analysis (whole metagenome, 16S/18S microbial community).
• Software Engineering Services Custom software development for bioinformatics including novel algorithms, database development, user interfaces, visualization tools, and integration of existing tools into user-friendly contexts.
• Bioinformatics Training Hands-on bioinformatics training for college students and researchers covering differential gene expression, variant detection, metagenomics/16S, genome/transcriptome assembly, and pan-genomics through 1-week workshops and custom training programs.
• K-12 STEM Education Programs Outreach programs introducing students to DNA-related topics including lab protocols, data analysis, and programming. Includes Science Tools in the Classroom, professional development for teachers, STEM summer camps, career presentations, and classroom outreach reaching 2,000+ K-12 students.
• INBRE Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core A collaborative resource supporting hypothesis- and discovery-driven genomic studies, providing bioinformatics resources, tools, education, and training to enable researchers and students in New Mexico to progress in their genomic studies. Funded by NIH/NIGMS.
• Biofilm Resource and Information Database (BRaID) A community resource containing both data and metadata about biofilms, developed in collaboration with Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering. Includes geographical locations, microenvironments, environmental factors, and intervention data to support biofilm research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported development of Takeda's tetravalent dengue vaccine (TDV) program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.

• New Mexico INBRE (Institutional Development Award)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCGR houses the Sequencing and Bioinformatics Core for the New Mexico IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program, funded by NIH/NIGMS. Supports bioinformatics resources, education, and training for researchers and students across New Mexico.
• Takeda PharmaceuticalsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting Takeda's tetravalent dengue vaccine (TDV) program. NCGR provided bioinformatics expertise and sequencing services resulting in productive collaboration with excellent results.
• USDA-ARScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Legume Information System (LIS), a USDA-funded collaborative community resource to facilitate crop improvement by integrating genetic, genomic, and trait data across legume species.
• NSF-funded Legume FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF project developing a federation model for legume databases to facilitate data exchange across legume species, enabling cross-species translational genomics and research community support.
• University of Southern CaliforniamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with David Caron's lab on Marine Microbial Eukaryote Transcriptome Sequencing Project for marine microbial genomics.
• Washington State UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on red alder-Frankia symbiosis research, developing omics-based foundation for breeding and improvement of red alder trees with Norman Lewis at WSU.
• Montana State University - Center for Biofilm EngineeringmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Biofilm Resource and Information Database (BRaID) project, developing ontology and database for biofilm research with David Millman at MSU.
• New Mexico State UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in INBRE program and Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) for K-12 bioinformatics education initiatives.
• Indiana UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Science Tools in the Classroom SEPA project, developing DNA-based case studies and educational units for K-12 classrooms.
• Worcester Polytechnic InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Luis Vidali on single cell transcriptomics in plant systems, applying single cell methods to plant biology research.
• Mayo ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Joy Wolfram on extracellular vesicle research, developing high-throughput methods for cellular uptake and biodistribution analysis.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New York Genome Center: Non-profit genomics research organization offering sequencing, bioinformatics, and computational services to academic and industry clients. Comparable in service portfolio and nonprofit funding structure to NCGR.
• HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology: Non-profit genomics and molecular diagnostics institute providing sequencing services, bioinformatics, and educational programs. Closely matches NCGR's combination of contract genomic services, public-facing databases, and workforce training.
• J. Craig Venter Institute: Non-profit genomics research institute conducting basic and applied research in genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology. Directly comparable to NCGR as a non-profit institute delivering contract research, public databases, and federal grant-funded science.
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center: Non-profit plant science research institute with major programs in crop genomics, bioinformatics, and translational agriculture. Closely comparable to NCGR's legume and crop-improvement research portfolio, supported by USDA and foundation grants.
• Boyce Thompson Institute: Non-profit plant science research institute conducting genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology research with USDA and NSF funding. Directly comparable to NCGR's plant genomics and bioinformatics focus, particularly on crop-relevant species.
• Jackson Laboratory: Independent, non-profit biomedical research institute with major genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology programs funded largely by NIH and NSF grants. Comparable in mission, funding model, and mix of contract research services plus community databases.
• Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen): Non-profit translational genomics institute performing genomic analysis for biomedical research with federal and industry funding. Similar scale, nonprofit structure, and mix of contract research with collaborative academic programs.

Broad incumbents

• Stowers Institute for Medical Research: Independent non-profit basic research institute with significant genomics and computational biology capabilities funded by endowment and federal grants. Comparable non-profit research model but with broader biomedical focus and larger scale than NCGR.
• Broad Institute: Much larger non-profit genomics research organization affiliated with MIT and Harvard operating at significantly greater scale. Comparable in mission and funding model, with overlapping capabilities in genome analysis, software tools (e.g., GATK), and training — but with substantially broader scope and resources than NCGR.
• Qiagen Bioinformatics: Major commercial provider of bioinformatics software (e.g., CLC Genomics Workbench) and contract genomic analysis services. Not a direct competitor in plant databases but competes with NCGR for bioinformatics service revenue from academic and pharma clients.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Center for Genome Resources