BIT - Breeding Information Technologies Unit

The BIT unit develops software solutions for plant breeders and researchers, generating and disseminating knowledge in breeding information technologies. The unit offers courses, workshops and lectures on database management and data handling in plant breeding, and offers an advanced computer-based technology system to support both basic genetic research and applied plant breeding.

The unit is managed by Agr. Drora Balaga, graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture and holds a CSA (certified system analyst) from the Israel Chamber of Information System Analysts. Ms Balaga is highly experienced in supporting breeding research, information system analyzes and software development.

Professional activities:

• Developing and maintaining plant breeding software: Developed by BIT, the breeding assisting software "TOMATO" provides comprehensive support to breeders and researchers throughout their activities. "TOMATO" has been enthusiastically received and currently employed by a number of public and commercial breeding groups.
• Support and consultancy to research groups and breeders: The BIT unit maintains close connections with the researchers and breeders, identifies their requirements and suggests appropriate computerized and practical solutions to meet specific needs.
• Academic courses: The BIT unit offers a course on "Plant Varieties Breeding Information Technologies". Using the "TOMATO" software as a model system for breeding programs' management, theoretical and practical elements of breeding program management are discussed and practiced, at the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
• Workshops and lectures: Short workshops and practical exercises are offered by the BIT unit periodically with the aim of updating and refreshing users' (breeders, students and researchers) technological knowledge.

For more details, please contact Agr. Drora Balaga at