ERGA News #38 - May 2026
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
News
🌍 BGE+ started!!
BGE+ is the next phase of Biodiversity Genomics Europe and will support the continued development of a coordinated European biodiversity genomics community. The project brings together iBOL Europe, ERGA, and CETAF to improve how genomic data are produced, connected, and used across DNA barcoding, reference genomes, taxonomy, collections, informatics, training, and policy-facing work. For ERGA, BGE+ will provide support for the reference genome community through network coordination, BioGenome Hubs, technical exchange, quality-control activities, training, and links to cascade-funded projects. The project will also help widen participation, support shared standards, improve data interoperability, and make outputs more reusable through open and FAIR practices. These activities will contribute to a more coherent European system for biodiversity genomics, while recognising the distributed expertise already present across ERGA members, committees, national nodes, and partner institutions. More information is available in here.
🪢 ERGA COST Action
ERGA has been awarded a new COST Action to support the wider use of biodiversity genomics in research, conservation, management, and policy. The Action responds to a growing need for shared standards in how genome-wide data are generated, analysed, interpreted, and communicated. Although genomic methods are increasingly used to assess genetic diversity, harmful variation, and introgression, their uptake remains uneven because methods, terminology, metadata, and reporting practices often differ across studies and countries. This new network will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, data specialists, and other stakeholders to co-develop practical guidance, training, and communication approaches. For the ERGA community, the Action offers a way to extend existing expertise in reference genomes towards broader applications of genome-wide data, while supporting inclusive participation and knowledge exchange across Europe. More information is available here.
Join the ERGA Pangenomes Working Group!
The ERGA Pangenomes Working Group has now started, following its first meeting on May 21st during the SAC regular meeting. We would like to thank the more than 100 people who have already expressed their interest in participating. This strong response shows the value of creating a shared space to discuss pangenomes within ERGA, from first steps to more advanced applications. Members who have not yet expressed an interest can still do so using the link below. The form will remain open for the coming months, so people can join as the group develops.
SMBE 2026 - Let's connect!
ERGA is proud to support SMBE 2026 as a sponsor. The ERGA Awards have already been granted, and we will soon share more about the winners. If you are joining the meeting, stop by the ERGA booth. We would love to meet you and connect in person!! Would you like to reserve a private meeting with an official ERGA representative? Write an email to ERGA Secretariat ⬇️
Events
14–19 June – Davos, Switzerland
6–10 July – Leiden, The Netherlands
31 August - 3 September | Geneva, Switzerland
2nd Molluscan Genomics Workshop
30 August - 3 September | Frankfurt, Germany
21-25 September | Oslo, Norway / Hybrid
9-13 November | Barcelona, Spain
Featured conferences with sessions organized by ERGA members:
Are you attending events or organizing sessions/workshops not listed here? Let us know here, we can help you reach more attendees from the biodiversity genomics community!
From the #ERGABlog: watch and explore
🦈 How can genomics help us understand the unique evolution of sharks, rays, and chimaeras?
Watch Shigehiro Kuraku introduce Squalomix, a consortium studying cartilaginous fishes through genome sequencing, cytology, and experimental biology. The talk explores how this work is revealing distinctive features of their biology, from genome size variation and ancient vertebrate sex chromosomes to adaptations such as deep-sea vision in whale sharks.
🧬 How can we detect local adaptation when population structure shapes genomic variation?
Watch Jérôme Goudet and Isabela do O discuss how demographic history, relatedness, and population structure can complicate the search for adaptive divergence. The seminar explores the classical QST–FST framework, its limits under complex population structure, and how approaches such as LogAV can help identify more robust signals of selection.
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