PILOT PROJECT - MOTIVATION  

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Amid our sixth mass extinction the utility of genomics for cataloging biodiversity and informing conservation strategies is essential.

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ERGA is a fast growing consortium with a member base of over 600 researchers across 48 countries (including all 27 EU member states and EU Associated Countries, as well as representatives of other countries within the European bioregion). 

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To demonstrate the feasibility of continent-wide collaboration, ERGA has launched a Pilot Project; established, funded, and driven entirely by its members.

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The project required building a pan-European genomics infrastructure that could support the inclusion and equal participation of each European country, at each step of the genome establishment pipeline, from sample collection to publication.

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ERGA is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion through synergistic systems that exemplify the effectiveness and efficiency of  generating reference grade genomes that can support biological discovery for the broader scientific community, in a collaborative manner.

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The world of reference genome assembly moves rapidly.  In accordance with this, ERGA and our Pilot Project Teams have made significant strides towards generating high-quality reference genomes, with over 98 species (and counting!) currently at various stages of this process.  

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PILOT PROJECT - OFFICIAL GUIDELINES  

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A large, collaborative, and pioneering effort such as the ERGA Pilot Project comes with a number of logistical challenges.

To remain informed and up-to-date with the continually evolving guidelines and protocols, we invite you to download the ERGA Pilot Project Official Guidelines  (last updated 11/04/22), which contains:     

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PILOT PROJECT - PROGRESS

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Courtesy of  Genomes on a Tree (GoaT) - a centralized source of genome-relevant metadata - you can keep track of the progress made so far by visiting our very own ERGA Pilot progress hub.  

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PILOT PROJECT - GENOME TEAMS

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Below you will find a quick but comprehensive overview of the species' that have so far been chosen for the ERGA Pilot Project.  You can also see the researchers and facilities responsible for sequencing and assembly of each species, and country to which they are attributed.

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PILOT PROJECT - SEQUENCING CENTRES​

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PILOT PROJECT - COMMERCIAL SEQUENCING PARTNER PROVIDERS​

    Background 
    1.   ERGA Pilot Project Rules
          - Coordination​
          - Team member roles
          - Nature of the collaboration
          - Designated Principal Investigators
          - Genomes without Principal Investigators
          - Sample ownership
          - Data availability and publication embargo
          - Exceptions to the aforementioned rules​​​
​    2.   ERGA Pilot Project Data Sharing Policy​​
    3.   Sample Permits and Collection
       3.1. Biobanking and Vouchering Your Sample​​
             - Sample requirements
             - Documentation and permits
             - Access to an ERGA-associated Biobank
    4.   Sequencing Requirements for Reference Genome Establishment and Annotation
       4.1. ERGA Pilot Sequencing Centre Sample Requirements
       4.2. Target Data Types and Coverage
    5.   Data Generation & Long term storage
    6.   ERGA Supported Samples: Shipping Requirements
       6.1. RNAseq Coordination Hub Locations
       6.2. RNA Sample Requirements
       6.3. Shipping Details
       6.4. HiC Coordination Hub Locations
       6.5. HiC Sample Requirements
       6.6. HiC Shipping Details
    7. Acknowledgements

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