🎉 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. 🇨🇦🧬✨

💡EBP Chair Dr. Harris Lewin explains why the Earth BioGenome Project matters: these genomes are vital for confronting the biodiversity crisis, advancing bio-economies, improving agriculture, and unlocking countless innovations. 🌍🧬 youtu.be/Zb4MzYH9GoA?... Thank you Beijing Genomics Group (BGI)! 🙌🌍

🚨🧬 #Breakthrough alert! 🧬 Caroline Howard and the Tree of Life Core Laboratory at the @sangerinstitute.bsky.social are releasing powerful new extraction methods designed for the toughest #species on Earth. These #innovations are helping #genome scientists crack samples once considered impossible.

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

Insects make up 80% of all known animal life — and their genomes capture millions of years of innovation, resilience, and ecological superpowers. Unlocking their DNA helps us protect ecosystems, track change, and discover new biology. 🐞🧬✨ #InsectLovers #TreeOfLifeProject #GlobalGenomics #LifeCodes

💥🧬 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

🌍✨ As sequencing ramps up, how will EBP-affiliates keep quality high? By building smarter, scalable tools and infrastructure to manage a global flood of genomic data. 💻🧬 📖👉Evaluation of sequencing reads at scale using rdeval: academic.oup.com/bioinformati... @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social

Check out this map of megadiverse countries around the world! 🌍 EBP-affiliated groups are actively sequencing in several of these biodiversity hotspots as we move toward 5,000 high-quality reference genomes. 👉 Follow other EBP-affiliated projects — we’re in this together! go.bsky.app/CRvXDF4

🌍✨ Why genome sequence mega-diverse countries? A handful of countries hold >70% of Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity — packed with species found nowhere else. These places are evolution’s playground… and extinction’s front line. #Biodiversity 🌿 #GenomeSequencing 🧬 #Genomics 🔬 #ConservationGenomics 🌍

🌊✨ The Ocean Genome Legacy Center joins the Earth BioGenome Project, helping advance the sampling of marine species across our ocean. With over 2.2 million eukaryotic marine species, the ocean remains one of Earth’s greatest frontiers for new genome discoveries. 🧬🌍 @oceangenomelegacy.bsky.social

Is your school mascot genome-sequenced? 🧬 If not… maybe it’s time! 👀🧬 Big news from UCSC — researchers have just completed the first end-to-end reference genome of the Pacific banana slug 🐌🍌, an iconic resident of California’s redwood forests (and UCSC’s beloved mascot 🌲). @ucsantacruz.bsky.social

🌿 Lots of EBP-affiliates are sequencing plant genomes, want to stay informed on all plant genome insights and discoveries as they crop up? 🌾 Make sure to follow our curated EBP-affiliate list to find new plant-focused initiatives around the world! 💚➡️ Follow other EBP-affiliates: go.bsky.app/CRvXDF4

🙌 Thanks to all those involved in driving this effort forward @sangerinstitute.bsky.social | @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social | @atlasea.bsky.social |@cmazzoni.bsky.social| @philmor1964.bsky.social|@erichjarvis.bsky.social |@kurakulabmsm.bsky.social | @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social go.bsky.app/CRvXDF4

Why is DNA extraction so tough? 🐜 Tiny insects provide too little material. 🌱 Plants fight back with tough walls and chemical inhibitors. 🐚 Shells, chitin, and slime — all evolved to protect DNA. From coral skeletons to cactus spines, extraction is where fieldwork meets chemistry 🔬🌎💪

🌍🧬 Will we see you at PAG33 this January 2026? Check the conference details: intlpag.org/PAG33/ Register today: bit.ly/4o7r4vW The International Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) Conference is almost here — the annual meeting point for the world’s genomics community! 🌱🐟🧬 #PAGConference

EBP R&D experts are paving the way for new discoveries, one extraction at a time. @ergabiodiv.bsky.social @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social egenomes.bsky.social @kurakulabmsm.bsky.social @atlasea.bsky.social @biogeneurope.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social @invertebrates.bsky.social

🧬 Ever tried squeezing a sponge for DNA? Scientists have! EBP researchers are innovating new ways to extract high-quality DNA from even the toughest marine tissues — from coral skeletons to jellyfish goo 🌊 Behind every genome lies persistence, creativity, and a deep dive into discovery.💡🔬

🌊 Ready to dive deep? EBP Life Issue 4 takes you beneath the waves — where genome science meets the mysteries of the sea. 🧬✨ Thousands of new genomes. Infinite discoveries ahead. 🚀 Dive into the ocean’s genomic frontier → bit.ly/EBP_LIFE

🧬 Why sequence plant genomes? To reveal their hidden histories 🌿, find the genes behind resilience 💪, and protect the green blueprint of life 🌎.

Today we remember Jane Goodall, who inspired a generation to protect wildlife and wild places, turning careful observation into lasting conservation. “A 'tireless advocate' for the protection of our natural world'”- Jane Goodall Institute

🚨 Register today and get your questions answered! 🧬 Ask the experts your questions at the Frontiers Deep Dive 🔥 What will you ask these EBP trailblazers about the Phase II Roadmap? 👉 bit.ly/46ko9cZ 🌍 Frontiers in Science Deep Dive 🗓️ 18 Sept 2025 ⏰ 16:00–17:30 CEST 👉 Register: bit.ly/4plyPzG

🌍 Biodiversity Genomes: Unlocking Conservation 🧬 Genome data is boosting genetic diversity in endangered species—driving breakthroughs and helping bring life back from the brink. As EBP reveals new ways to ramp up sequencing, we hope these genomes will strengthen efforts to protect species at risk.

🚀🧬 EBP dream team launches the Phase II roadmap to sequence all Eukaryotic life on Earth! 🔥 Hot off the press (2025) 👉http://bit.ly/46ko9cZ 🌍 EBP's vision of sequencing all 1.8 million named eukaryotic species is now within reach—powered by unprecedented global collaboration.

🌍 Upcoming Event: Frontiers in Science Deep Dive 🧬✨ Explore the EBP Phase II Roadmap and hear directly from the lead authors about scaling up biodiversity genomics worldwide. Bring your questions and join the discussion! 🗓️ 18 September 2025 ⏰ 16:00–17:30 CEST 👉 Register here: bit.ly/4plyPzG

🚀🧬🔥 Hot off the press — 2025! Don’t miss this must-read publication: bit.ly/4mJwFb7 This groundbreaking paper sets the stage for Earth BioGenome Project Phase II — where EBP is gearing up to scale genome sequencing 10× faster than ever before! 🌍✨

🦎🔥 Bearded dragons don’t play by the usual rules! Their sex is determined by both genetics and temperature—heat can even turn genetic males into functioning females. Nature loves a plot twist! BGI 2025: bit.ly/BGI_2025 Australia: bit.ly/41Uy1Ye 🦎 #BeardedDragon #PogonaVitticeps 🌡️ #TemperatureSex 🧬

🌍🧬 Interested in all things EBP and genomes? Follow the EBP all-stars to stay up to date with their latest breakthroughs in real time! 🚀✨ go.bsky.app/EQh6H7H And follow us on all our platforms to join the conversation! 💬🌎 linktr.ee/earthbiogeno...

Why sequence all vertebrate genomes? 🧬 💡 Vertebrate genomes can help answer complex questions — for example: how did speech evolve, and which genes govern longevity and cancer resistance in long-lived species like the Blue Whale? @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social | @ergabiodiv.bsky.social |

🌏🌿 The Earth BioGenome Project has collectively surpassed another genome milestone! 🙌 🎉 Congratulations to everyone involved in this monumental global effort to sequence life on Earth. 🌍🧬 #EarthBioGenome #Genomics #Biodiversity #MilestoneMoment

🎣 Reference genome now available for this bait-fishing bird! The Green Heron is one of the few birds known to use tools, luring fish with bait like bread, insects, or feathers. 🐟💡 🇨🇦 🧬 We hope this genome helps uncover more secrets of this clever species!

Are you studying the Ruby-crowned Kinglet 🐦, which has a breeding territory spanning across Canada 🇨🇦? How will this new genome 🧬 help advance your research?

🦋 Scientists Discover New Butterfly Species with Streamlined Genome After 40,000 Years of Isolation 🧬 🦋 This butterfly survived the last Glacial Maximum ❄️ in a tiny refuge in southwestern Alberta 🇨🇦 and now persists in Waterton Lakes National Park 🏔️. 👉2025 read: bit.ly/4oAZx6Z 📸 credit: Z. MacDonald

The Rockefeller University Vertebrate Genome Lab is hiring for a wet lab Research Support Associate! Interested in sequencing long-read DNA and RNA for high-quality reference genomes? Apply here: careers.rockefeller.edu/jobs/1834?la...

🔗 https://doi.org/10.1093/bioinformatics/btaf416 💻️ rdeval code: https://github.com/vgl-hub/rdeval (3/3)

🧬 Four reasons the Earth BioGenome Project is sequencing all Eukaryotic species—not just one per family or genus: 1️⃣ Hidden diversity 2️⃣ Conservation power 3️⃣ Medical & biotech breakthroughs 4️⃣ A complete Tree of Life 🌍 Every genome matters. Every species has a story.

(1/2) 🧬 The Darwin Tree of Life aims to sequence the genomes of all animals, fungi, plants, and protists found in Great Britain and Ireland—🌿🦊🍄🦠 That’s tens of thousands of species, each with a unique genetic story to tell. 🔍 These genomes are unlocking valuable insights, more here: bit.ly/44YS0ap

(1/2) 🧬 The African BioGenome Project 🌍 is training the next generation of genomics experts through groundbreaking, hands-on workshops across 50 African countries—laying the foundation for innovation and discovery across the continent. 🚀📖 Read the 2025 publication: go.nature.com/40INiek

🧬 Are you genome sequencing 🐛 insects, 🌱 plants, 🦎🪸 animals, 🦠 protists, or 🐟 fish? Come join the global mission to sequence all life on Earth! 🌍 Reference genomes are the launchpad for discovery, conservation, and innovation 🚀 Be part of the Reference Genome Revolution! 💥

🌍 🐝 Crisis for pollinators: U.S. honeybee farms have experienced the largest die-off on record, losing 62% of commercial honey bee colonies in a single year. This alarming decline has major implications for food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. 🌍🥀 👉 2025 publication: bit.ly/46eeTaU

🌍🧬 Congratulations on surpassing 4,000 genome assemblies! A huge thank you to all our incredible EBP-affiliates driving global genome sequencing forward—your work is transforming science, conservation, and our understanding of life on Earth.

🌍🧽 The Aquatic Symbiosis Project, @utehentschel.bsky.social and @sangerinstitute.bsky.social are cranking out high-quality genome assemblies at record speed—setting the stage to answer remarkable questions about marine symbioses. 🌊🧬 👉 Blog: bit.ly/3INcrOA 📸 2 Elephant ear sponge: B. Mueller

🌍🐋 EBP-affiliates—the Cetacean Genomes Project, Darwin Tree of Life @sangerinstitute.bsky.social, and @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social—have teamed up to explore what these new assemblies can unravel about these underwater giants. 🧬🌊 👉 July 2025 pub: bit.ly/44KuTir #conservation #whales #dolphins

🌍🐋 EBP-affiliates are making waves with 18 high-quality reference genomes for whales and dolphins! 🐬 Dive into the details with lead author @philmor1964.bsky.social and explore how these genomes are advancing research into the adaptation and critical vulnerabilities of these marine giants. 🌊🧬

🚨The deadline is almost here—don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of biodiversity genomics.

(1/2) 🌍 Are you genome sequencing eukaryotic biodiversity and generating high-quality reference genomes? Consider joining the global initiative: the Earth BioGenome Project! 🧬 🌍 Our network is growing! Check out our Starter Pack to follow more EBP-affiliated projects: go.bsky.app/CRvXDF4

Did you see this June 2025 Nature article decoding dogrose reproduction? Hot off the press genomics advanced by EBP-affiliate Darwin Tree of Life genomes!

Genomics for safeguarding biodiversity! Are you genome sequencing Canadian species? Let us know!

🌍 Hear from Erich Jarvis, chair of the EBP-affiliated Vertebrate Genomes Project at Rockefeller University, as he explains why high-quality reference genomes across the Tree of Life are essential. 👉 bit.ly/401IbWl @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social @rockefelleruniv.bsky.social @erichjarvis.bsky.social

(1/2) 🌍 EBP-affiliated projects worldwide are assembling genomes across the Tree of Life—building a global reference library to accelerate research, unlock evolutionary insights, and drive biotechnological breakthroughs for the benefit of all. @sangerinstitute.bsky.social