New Genome Insider🎧 : Mobile genetic elements that can move between organisms often get missed in datasets. Now, deep sequencing & new analysis methods open up options for engineering these microbes in the future. 🖥️🧬🦠 @simrouxvirus.bsky.social @scbagby.bsky.social @berkeleylab.lbl.gov

Out today in Nature Microbiology: a paper that started in 2021 with an email from @sullivan-lab.bsky.social. Subject line: "Crazy ideas". www.nature.com/articles/s41... 1/23

Pretty cool to see a diatom I isolated at @jcvi.org finish making its way through sequencing and onto @jgi.doe.gov phycocosm today. phycocosm.jgi.doe.gov/Charadi1/Cha...

“By using robotics and AI to standardize plant-microbe studies, we are building the foundational tools to accelerate science to address pressing DOE Missions and global challenges.” —Trent Northen, JGI Metabolomics Program Head Learn more about our program: jgi.doe.gov/science-prog...

One more reason to watch the World Cup ⚽: In 2022, JGI User @szintri.bsky.social and his team looked at grasses for clues about crop resilience — and spotted their study species on stadium pitches! Hear their story: jointgeno.me/s04e01

"We wanted to build a resource that demonstrates DNA sequence diversity, gene repertoire, and the phenotypic diversity across this plant in one accessible resource." — John Lovell, JGI Plant Program More: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/sorghum-pangenome-opens-more-doors-discovery

We provide genomic capabilities, large-scale data & professional expertise to researchers advancing energy & infrastructure security. 🧬Opportunities: https://jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/proposals 🧬Resources: https://jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/offerings-capabilities 🧬Mission: https://jgi.doe.gov/mission

Don't miss the JGI's Microbial Genomics & Metagenomics Workshop at the Fisabio Summer School in Spain July 20–24. Register here (Module 4): https://redcap.fisabio.san.gva.es/surveys/?s=YY4RYJRRH9L8DXH8

Leveraging new tools and large-scale data mining, @jgi.doe.gov researchers nearly tripled the available fungal mitochondrial genome data, unlocking new potential for AI-driven studies of energy metabolism. 🍄 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/guExxUg5

New research decodes how a single stress signal transforms bacterial metabolism, offering engineers precise targets for designing better microbial factories. 🖥️ 🧬 More: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/pinch-salt-activates-silent-gene-clusters-streptomyces

Incredibly excited to work on this #meta’omics time series of the Albemarle Pamlico estuarine continuum with JGI and collaborators Hans Paerl, Nathan Hall, Ryan Paerl & @tolarchaeota.bsky.social! Stay tuned as we dig into algal-microbial interactions! 🦠 #algae #microbes

Using new tools and large-scale data mining, JGI researchers nearly tripled fungal mitochondrial genome data, unlocking potential for AI-driven energy metabolism studies. 🖥️ 🧬 🍄 More: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/mining-public-databases-yields-largest-map-fungal-mitochondrial

From our FY26 New Investigators: @zepernickbn.bsky.social will use DNA, RNA and metabolite profiles to connect environmental change to microbial partnerships. @tolarchaeota.bsky.social @uncw-cms.bsky.social More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Genome Watch👀 "In search of phage tail-like particiles: nature's versatile nanomachines" highlights the importance of predictive models. 🖥️🧬 Full Story: https://rdcu.be/fgU2m @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @axelvisel.bsky.social @natureportfolio.nature.com

From our FY26 New Investigators: By comparing sediment and vegetation effects at Great Meadows Marsh, Jing Yuan will clarify how microbial functions shape marsh health and long-term resilience. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Many of our users rely on a multifaceted combination of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, phenotypic, metabolomic, imaging, sensor, and other data produced at scales amenable to statistical analysis. 🖥️ 🧬 Learn more about our resources: https://jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/offerings-capabilities

From our FY26 New Investigators: Susanne Wilken will sequence chrysophyte genomes to explain how these algae use light and prey to grow, supporting efforts to optimize strains for bioenergy. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

From our FY26 New Investigators: By testing kelp across temperatures and life stages, @brookeweigel.bsky.social will identify gene pathways linked to performance and resilience. @stanforddoerr.bsky.social More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Excited that my kelp transcriptomics project was selected among the 2026 Community Science Program New Investigators! 🌊 🧬

From our FY26 New Investigators: Chin Chin Too will characterize peatland microbial communities across pristine and burnt conditions, linking gene profiles to methane production and consumption. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

The Primer goes out every other month and includes updates on user research, upcoming events, proposal recipients and other opportunities. Stay in touch! Sign up at jointgeno.me/newsletter

From our FY26 New Investigators: By comparing genomes, Jennifer E. Smith will connect genetic differences to adaptation and the biosynthesis of valuable halogenated compounds. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

From our FY26 New Investigators: By combining metabolite measurements with transcriptomics, Rebecca Sherbo will identify how cells coordinate energy-intensive processes. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

"We wanted to build a resource that demonstrates DNA sequence diversity, gene repertoire, and the phenotypic diversity across this plant in one accessible resource." — John Lovell, JGI Plant Program More: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/sorghum-pangenome-opens-more-doors-discovery

From our FY26 New Investigators: Leading two sorghum projects, Nadia Shakoor will generate deep-soil DNA maps and a time-resolved activity dataset. @danforthcenter.bsky.social Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Check out Genome Insider, the JGI’s podcast. Hear directly from users about how the JGI supports powering our future. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts. 🖥️ 🧬 More: jointgeno.me/GenomeInsider

From our FY26 New Investigators: Haley Sapers will use new sampling and DNA extraction to uncover hidden microbial diversity in cold springs, connecting metagenomic data to functional analyses. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

From our FY26 New Investigators: Morito Sakuma will predict urease variants with improved activity and stability. Enzymes will be synthesized, tested and optimized for scalable recovery systems. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Don't miss the JGI's Microbial Genomics & Metagenomics Workshop at the Fisabio Summer School in Spain July 20–24. Register here (Module 4): https://redcap.fisabio.san.gva.es/surveys/?s=YY4RYJRRH9L8DXH8

From our FY26 New Investigators: Through gene activity and microbial data integration, Reuben J. Peters will reveal how rice diterpenoids shape the plant microbiome. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

📣 FUNGAL COMMUNITY🍄 Genomes recently released on Mycocosm include ambrosia fungus, entomortierella, zygopleurage, fusarium & phyllosticta. 🖥️🧬 Find all of our publicly available fungal genomes at mycocosm.jgi.doe.gov/mycocosm/home

Congratulations to Daniel Mok (@dmokplants.bsky.social), graduate student in the Gilbert and VanBuren labs at PRI, for receiving a 2026 New Investigator Award from the Joint Genome Institute!

From our FY26 New Investigators: @jakenash12.bsky.social will uncover how leaf-associated microbes help trees process airborne nutrients, pollutants and metals—revealing functional pathways. More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

"Bird and mouse faces may look very different, but they are built from the same molecular toolkit. Evolution just rewired the regulatory switches controlling developmental signals." – axelvisel.bsky.social, @jgi.doe.gov Deputy of Science

From our FY26 New Investigators: Using coupled geochemical fluxes and microbial analyses, Elise Morrison will link water level and salinity changes to shifts in microbial community composition. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

DEADLINE JUNE 1: We've issued a RFP for "Development of an automated system for plant tissue culture and transformation" through our Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program. Learn More at sam.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/8b46b74ca15c487b9b4fed7ef08a68fe/view

From our FY26 New Investigator call: @dmokplants.bsky.social will study how a carnivorous plant evolved CAM, a water-efficient photosynthesis that helps plants thrive in dry environments @msupri.bsky.social More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Genome Watch👀 "In search of phage tail-like particiles: nature's versatile nanomachines" highlights the importance of predictive models. 🖥️🧬 Full Story: https://rdcu.be/fgU2m @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @axelvisel.bsky.social @natureportfolio.nature.com

From our FY26 New Investigator call: @roseamarks.bsky.social will separate genome copies in this polyploid grass to uncover links to desiccation tolerance.@ibioillinois.bsky.social Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

From our FY26 New Investigators: @elaanto.bsky.social will uncover megaphage strategies for controlling bacterial hosts using gene activity and chemical profiling. @uniofjyvaskyla.bsky.social Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Many of our users rely on a multifaceted combination of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, phenotypic, metabolomic, imaging, sensor, and other data produced at scales amenable to statistical analysis. 🖥️ 🧬 Learn more about our resources: https://jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/offerings-capabilities

From our FY26 New Investigators: @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social will examine why com140 supports growth by tracking gene activity & chemical exchanges between plants &microbes. @xinmingxu.bsky.social Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

📣 PLANT COMMUNITY🌱 : New genomes available on Phytozome for April include spreading earthmoss, kousa dogwood and birdsfoot trefoil. 🖥️ 🧬 Find all of our publicly available plant genomes at phytozome-next.jgi.doe.gov/

From our FY26 New Investigator call: Gayan Kariyawasam will decode how the frogeye leaf spot fungus bypasses the Rcs2 resistance gene, toward developing sturdier disease-resistant soybeans. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

From our FY26 New Investigator call: Using transcriptomics and network analysis, Lisa Kappel will map the genetic regulators of chitin metabolism, unlocking new pathways for fungal biotechnology. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

The Primer goes out every other month and includes updates on user research, upcoming events, proposal recipients and other opportunities. Stay in touch! Sign up at jointgeno.me/newsletter

From our FY26 New Investigator call: @microhukaryote.bsky.social will sequence Mississippi delta microbes to reveal how they break down agricultural runoff and inform remediation models. @akrinos.bsky.social jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

The sorghum pangenome is a tool showing genetic variation across varieties that ultimately will allow researchers and breeders to more quickly adapt plants for new end uses and conditions. 🖥️ 🧬 🌱 https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/sorghum-pangenome-opens-more-doors-discovery

From our FY26 New Investigator call: Julia Harenčár will evaluate wild radish genome sequences, including hybrids, across 3 distinct U.S. regions to ID genes for bioenergy crop resilience. @ucdavis.bsky.social jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

From our FY26 New Investigator call: Yang Hai aims to uncover how extremophilic fungi produce stress-response compounds, informing the development of robust biomanufacturing systems. @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio