Canadian BioGenome Project 🇨🇦

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🌊🧬🇨🇦 Thank you to @genomecanada.ca, @genomebc.bsky.social, @genomequebec.bsky.social and Genome Alberta for investing in the genomic tools needed to help #safeguard marine #biodiversity for years to come. ✨
🇨🇦🧬This work is powered by Canada’s #genomics community at CGEn’s world-class facilities 🌊

🐝🧬🇨🇦 We are genome sequencing Canadian insects — from pests to pollinators to the species that keep ecosystems running.

Big thanks to funders @genomecanada.ca, @genomebc.bsky.social, & @genomequebec.bsky.social for powering the science that helps protect #ecosystems, #agriculture, and #biodiversity.

Huge news 🌍🧬
The Protist 10,000 Genomes Project is joining the Earth BioGenome Project.
Protists may represent the majority of eukaryotic diversity — yet only a tiny fraction have reference genomes.
Time to change that. 🚀✨
Learn more 👉 ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/p10k/
#EBP #Protists #Genomics #TreeOfLife

Bright orange sea star with white speckles spreads across a rocky seabed covered in pale anemones and small marine life. Overlaid text reads: “Rapid Genomes. Real-Time Discovery.”

Close-up underwater view of an orange sea star moving across a dark, rocky ocean floor. Overlaid text reads: “One high-quality sea star genome can power global research — from regeneration and disease to evolution and climate adaptation.”

🇨🇦 Rapid genomes. Real-time discovery. 🧬🌊
One high-quality sea star genome can power global research — from regeneration to climate adaptation. ⭐
From regrowing limbs to surviving warming oceans, one reference genome can unlock discoveries across the Tree of Life. 🧬💻

#seastar #genomes #biodiversity

🌲Western redcedar, BC’s provincial tree, faces climate, drought & pest threats. Thanks to Genome BC and Genome Canada researchers are using genomics to breed stronger, resilient trees—cutting timelines from 20 years to 4 🌱
#GenomicsSavesTrees

A close-up of a brown mouse with large dark eyes and whiskers looks toward the viewer, representing model organisms that serve as foundational reference genomes for research across biology. “Reference genomes are foundational infrastructure. One high-quality genome enables: comparative genomics, functional gene discovery, population and evolutionary genomics, and method and tool development. Everything starts with a reference.”

A collage of diverse life forms — including a chimpanzee, octopus, beetle, fungi, plants, and microscopic organisms — appears over an image of Earth, illustrating global biodiversity and the power of shared genomic data. “Open data and scale accelerate discovery. The Human Genome Project showed that: open data sharing multiplies impact, collaboration drives innovation, and technology improves rapidly at scale. These principles made today’s large-scale genomics possible.”

A glowing golden DNA double helix arcs across Earth from space with a sunrise on the horizon, symbolizing the global impact of genomics on understanding life. “One genome changed how we study life. Sequencing millions will transform how we understand evolution — and power breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and the global bioeconomy.”

🌍 We’re not just sequencing genomes.
We’re building the biological foundation for the next century of science. 🚀
Powered by an extraordinary global community 🧬
🌍 ✨Thank you to the many groups around the world driving this shared effort to sequence and understand life on Earth 👉 go.bsky.app/CRvXDF4

English: Stylized graphic of a human face formed by colorful horizontal bars (red, yellow, blue, and green) on a dark background. Text reads “Where It All Began” and “Every global genome effort starts with a first success,” with a white arrow pointing forward. Español: Gráfico estilizado de una doble hélice de ADN formada por barras horizontales de colores (rojo, amarillo, azul y verde) sobre un fondo oscuro. El texto dice “Where It All Began” y “Every global genome effort starts with a first success,” con una flecha blanca apuntando hacia adelante.

English: World map illuminated with glowing connection lines across continents, symbolizing global collaboration. Overlaid text explains that the Human Genome Project was the first international effort to assemble an entire genome—3 billion base pairs—and laid the foundation for initiatives like the Earth BioGenome Project to scale from one species to all life. Español: Mapa del mundo iluminado con líneas brillantes que conectan los continentes, simbolizando la colaboración global. El texto superpuesto explica que el Proyecto Genoma Humano fue el primer esfuerzo internacional para ensamblar un genoma completo—3 mil millones de pares de bases—y sentó las bases para iniciativas como el Earth BioGenome Project para escalar de una especie a toda la vida.

One genome changed everything.
The Human Genome Project showed us that:
• reference genomes are scientific infrastructure
• open data accelerates discovery
• collaboration makes scale possible
Those same principles now power a far bigger vision — understanding life across the entire Tree of Life. 🌳🧬

A sperm whale swims upward through deep blue ocean water, its massive head and body illuminated by filtered sunlight from the surface above. “High-quality genomes at scale reveal: • the genetic basis of resilience, longevity, and adaptation • smarter conservation strategies • lasting biological knowledge for future discovery”

A view of Earth from space shows continents lit by city lights and sunlight along the horizon, representing global collaboration and planetary-scale science. “The Earth BioGenome Project is a global collaboration working to generate high-quality reference genomes for all eukaryotic species, unlocking the biological knowledge needed to understand, protect, and sustain life on Earth.”

🌍 ✨Thank you to the global community making this possible. This is collaboration at #global scale. 🚀 👉 go.bsky.app/CRvXDF4

EBP-affiliated projects worldwide are building a shared scientific foundation — powered by collaboration, open #data, and a collective vision to sequence life at scale.

#biodiversity #bioinformatics Summer School ... 21-26 June in Siegen, Germany co-organised by @sib.swiss & @denbi.bsky.social
www.sib.swiss/training/cou...
🟢 eDNA & ecosystems
🟣 pangenome diversity
🔵 population genetics
🟡 comparative genomics
Register to apply, selections will start from March 16th

A microscopic image of Volvox, a spherical green colonial alga composed of many small cells arranged in a hollow globe, glowing against a dark background. “Beyond Humans: The Eukaryotic Frontier”

A collage grid showing diverse eukaryotic life — including fungi, a seahorse, insects, deer, protists, bees, trees, birds, mammals, plants, and marine invertebrates — representing the breadth of species across Earth. “A moonshot for LIFE on Earth: deliver reference genomes for all known eukaryotic species — 1.8 million — in the next decade.”

A stylized image of Earth encircled by a glowing DNA double helix, surrounded by animals, plants, fungi, and marine life, symbolizing the genetic unity and diversity of life on the planet. “What secrets are hidden in the DNA of life on Earth?” image generated by AI

Beyond humans lies the eukaryotic frontier. 🧬🌍
Sequencing the human genome showed us how powerful a single reference can be.
Now the challenge is scaling that insight across all eukaryotic life — plants, animals, fungi, and the vast unknown diversity of the Tree of Life.

Alt EN: Image shows a bright green red-eyed tree frog with vivid red eyes and orange toes perched on a green leaf against a dark green background. Text on image (Spanish and English): “¿Secuenciando genomas de referencia eucariotas? Únete al esfuerzo global. / Sequencing eukaryotic reference genomes? Join the global effort.” Alt ES: Imagen de una rana arbórea verde de ojos rojos con ojos rojos brillantes y dedos anaranjados posada sobre una hoja verde con fondo verde oscuro. Texto en la imagen (en español e inglés): “¿Secuenciando genomas de referencia eucariotas? Únete al esfuerzo global. / Sequencing eukaryotic reference genomes? Join the global effort.”

Alt EN: Image shows a collage of diverse amphibians on a black background, including colorful frogs, salamanders, newts, axolotl, and caecilians arranged around text. Text on image: “Why sequence amphibian genomes?” Alt ES: Imagen de un collage de diversos anfibios sobre fondo negro, incluyendo ranas coloridas, salamandras, tritones, un ajolote y cecilias, dispuestos alrededor del texto. Texto en la imagen: “Why sequence amphibian genomes?”

🧬🌍 Sequencing #amphibian genomes? Help close one of the biggest gaps in the Tree of Life.
From tiny genomes to mega-genomes, every species deserves a place in the Genome Library of Life.
📩 Get in touch and join the global effort to sequence life on Earth. 🧬💻✨
#EBP links 🔗→ linktr.ee/earthbiogeno...

🐸🧬 At the Canadian BioGenome Project, we are actively genome sequencing Canadian amphibians — including the invasive American bullfrog, which is outcompeting native and endangered frogs across the country. 🇨🇦🌎

A small toad sits calmly in the palm of a person’s hand, shown close up against a blurred green background. Overlaid text reads: “Better decisions lead to better data,” followed by bullet points on higher taxonomic resolution, more reproducible workflows, and clearer paths to scaling biodiversity monitoring. The text concludes: “Long reads move us beyond detection to insight.”

An underwater scene showing a colorful coral reef with large orange sponge formations surrounded by other reef organisms in clear blue water. Overlaid text explains that sequencing choices should fit the science and presents the guide as a roadmap from sample type to platform choice for matching technology with biodiversity goals. The text credits Bista & Lino, 2026.

This guide shows when and why labs use ONT and PacBio for eDNA metabarcoding, shotgun sequencing, and DNA barcoding—with real workflows and tools.
Platform strengths 💻🧬
🧪 ONT — portable, flexible, field-ready, real-time
🧬 PacBio — HiFi accuracy, robust inference, complex markers

#PacBio #ONT

Split image showing field and lab work. On the left, a researcher wearing waders collects samples in a coastal wetland under a blue sky. On the right, a scientist in a lab coat and safety glasses works with a sequencing instrument in a laboratory. Overlaid text reads: “PacBio or ONT — when should you use which?” and “This new guide breaks down the trade-offs across eDNA, metabarcoding, and barcoding. A comprehensive guide (Bista & Lino, 2026).”

A researcher wearing a headscarf and field badge collects a water sample from a shallow stream using a pink scoop. Vegetation lines the water’s edge. Overlaid text asks: “When should you use one over the other?” and lists considerations including field or lab work, eDNA metabarcoding, shotgun sequencing, DNA barcoding, and trade-offs between accuracy, speed, scale, and cost. The text concludes that choosing the right platform depends on the research question.

Choosing between PacBio and ONT starts with the question — not the platform.💻🧬
Long-read sequencing is here — and the key is matching the technology to the biodiversity question. 🧬🌍
👉 Read the full roadmap: Bista & Lino (2026)
🔗 tinyurl.com/BistaLino2026

@sgn.one | @ilianabista.bsky.social
#PacBio

🌍🧬 Spotlight: Rob Waterhouse
In EBP Life, we highlight his journey into biodiversity genomics, his role in shaping BUSCO, and his leadership as Chair of ERGA, EBP’s first regional node.
✍️ Written by ERGA’s Luisa Marins
📬 Read the full spotlight in EBP Life.
🔗 gqr.sh/eDgx

@ergabiodiv.bsky.social

Carolyn Hogg smiles at the camera while kneeling on a sandy beach, wearing a red vest and blue gloves as she gently holds a small black animal wrapped in a blanket. The ocean and distant hills are visible in the background. Text overlay reads “EBP Life — Now Live” and “Global Voices, Global Genomes.”

Andrew J. Crawford smiles outdoors in a sunlit rural setting while holding a bird close to the camera, its eye and feathers visible in the foreground. Trees and small buildings appear behind him. Text overlay reads “What slows the science most in your region?” and includes a quote about funding being a key bottleneck to scaling biodiversity genomics.

🌍🧬 EBP Life — Global Voices, Global Genomes
The People Powering Biodiversity Genomics
Behind every genome is a human story. 🌱
Read it here 👉https://gqr.sh/kx7m

Thank you to all who lent their voices to this issue—your insights are helping shape the future of biodiversity genomics. 🖥️🧬🚀

💥🧬 Why sequence ALL insect genomes?
Because insects run the planet. They pollinate our crops, recycle nutrients, build soils, drive food webs, and shape ecosystems on every continent. 🌍
Yet we’ve only scratched the surface of their genomic diversity.
#InsectBiotech #BiodiversityMatters #InsectLovers

🦋🧬 A milestone for biodiversity genomics.
Project Psyche is building chromosome-level genomes for ~11,000 European butterflies & moths — 1,000 sequenced, 3,000+ collected, across 34 countries.

🔗 Read the publication: bit.ly/ProjectPsyche
@projectpsyche.bsky.social

#BiodiversityGenomics 🧬🌍

Why genome sequence nudibranchs? 🌈🧬
Because these vibrant sea slugs hide some of the ocean’s most extraordinary biological tricks.
From toxin evolution and chemical defenses 🧪 to symbioses, pigmentation, and extreme metabolic adaptations, nudibranch genomes reveal how life innovates in the sea. 🌊

🌍🧬 From our global network to yours—Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
Thank you for an incredible year. More genomes and discovery ahead in 2026 ✨

🎉 5,000+ genome assemblies sequenced!
EBP affiliates are building momentum, and we’re already looking ahead to the next genome sequencing milestone on the road to 2026.
Congratulations to everyone who worked together to make this happen. Happy holidays and a happy New Year! ✨🧬

Generating difficult-to-sequence genomes fills critical gaps in the Tree of Life and ensures researchers everywhere can advance their work using high-quality reference genomes. We’re producing reference genomes across diverse taxa — helping position Canada as a leader in global genomics. 🇨🇦🧬✨

Canadian BioGenome Project R&D teams are putting this breakthrough method to work — generating brand-new reference genomes for Canadian sponges! 🔬🇨🇦✨

Huge congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible! 🎉🦋 Field teams out exploring 🥾🌿 and lab teams powering the sequencing 🧬 — every single contribution mattered. 🙌✨

EBP groups tracking down and sequencing insects include the @invertebrates.bsky.social, @ergabiodiv.bsky.social, @canadianbiogenome.bsky.social, @projectpsyche.bsky.social, @catbiogenoma.bsky.social, @wiseancestors.bsky.social, @10klepgenomes.bsky.social, @biogeneurope.bsky.social, and many more!

Real conservation action, guided by genomes!
@ergabiodiv.bsky.social @biogeneurope.bsky.social
Why go beyond the reference genome?
Because population genomics reveals hidden risks — low diversity, genetic drift, and declining gene flow. 🌍
Wetlands are disappearing… and so is genetic diversity.