Genomics for Biodiversity Conference - from genomes to impact

luisamarins19
Jul 25
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

29–31 October 2025

Summary

🗓️ Dates: 29 - 31 October 2025 (click to add to your agenda!)

We are excited to announce the Genomics for Biodiversity Conference organised by ERGA-BGE, which will be held on October 29 - 31 and transmitted live through the ERGA YouTube channel. Participation is free of charge.

All sessions were recorded and are available in our Channel:

The event aims to bring together researchers and other stakeholders interested in applied biodiversity genomics and will showcase how it can have an impact on real-world issues, focusing primarily on biodiversity conservation and the bioeconomy.

Programme

Click to check the programme

Through two and a half days, the conference will include:

Keynote talks - addressing the links between biodiversity genomics, policy, and society. Check the list of keynote speakers below:

Christina Hvilsom: Genomes in action for conservation

Since 2008, I have build and led the genetic research profile and lab of Copenhagen Zoo managing a highly skilled and dedicated team focused on conservation genetics and population genomics. Over the years, I’ve built robust in-house expertise and international collaborations that advance science-based solutions for managing endangered species—both in the wild and in human care.

My work combines genomic analyses with strategic conservation planning, supporting efforts from species recovery programs to global biodiversity policy. I’m proud to supervise students and researchers, foster interdisciplinary research, and contribute to high-impact networks and initiatives worldwide.

As founder and chair of the EAZA Biobank, I help develop genetic resource infrastructures for over 450 zoos and aquaria. I also advise on population management through the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), support and build resources for global biodiversity efforts and strategies via the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and coordinate the EU Biodiversa+ GINAMO project—working to integrate genetic indicators into EU and global biodiversity frameworks of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Passionate about uniting science, management, and policy, I actively contribute to initiatives like the EU COST Action Networks GENOA and G-BiKE, Coalition for Conservation Genetics and the IUCN SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, ensuring genetic diversity has a voice in global conservation efforts.

Alessio Iannucci: Integrating reference genomes and cytogenomics to support the design of wildlife management and conservation programs

Dr. Alessio Iannucci, currently a research fellow at the University of Florence, studies the evolution and population dynamics of terrestrial vertebrate species using advanced genomic technologies. His PhD research focused on the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), for which he produced the first reference genome. His research includes the combination of classical cytogenetic methods with next-generation sequencing technologies.

Pier Luigi Buttigieg: Omics in global data ecosystems: Forming a digital niche to scale the impact and use of reference genomes

I'm a senior data scientist, digital architect, and strategist. My thematic foci are in ocean and biodiversity data (especially microbiome and biomolecular data), as well as their societal links. I contribute to the steering, strategy, and operations of multiple regional and international research data infrastructures and Actions within and related to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, including those addressing globally federated digital exchange and digital twinning. I also chair the Ocean Data and Information System Project of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

My additional focal areas include digital strategy and architecture development, interoperability approaches, semantic harmonisation, knowledge representation, and high-dimensional data analysis.

Alexandra A.-T. Weber : Genomics of sex determination in invasive quagga and zebra mussels: progress towards potential genetic biocontrol

I am an evolutionary ecologist interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms generating and maintaining biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. I use a wide range of -omics data (e.g. genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics) from the field and experiments to uncover how organisms adapt to different environmental conditions, and ultimately infer their vulnerability and resilience in the face of rapid environmental changes. I mainly focus on native (e.g. Unionids) and invasive (e.g. quagga and zebra mussels; Asian clam) freshwater bivalve species in Switzerland to conduct my current research, but I also have collaborative projects on other aquatic invertebrates from various habitats (e.g. marine limpets; freshwater crustaceans).

29 Genomic for biodiversity projects presentations - they will showcase the applied use of biodiversity genomics across Europe and a diverse set of eukaryotic species.
- Click here to learn more about the projects.
3 sessions focusing on genomics applied to biodiversity conservation and standardisation.

ERGA-BGE Case Studies

The Biodiversity Genomics Europe Project and ERGA have supported 29 research projects that demonstrate the applications of genomic data to improve our understanding of biodiversity. In this conference, research project participants will have a chance to come together, share scientific results, and exchange experiences. Learn more about the projects in the interactive map below:

Parallel sessions

On Friday, 31 October 2025 at 12:30 CET three parallel breakout sessions on Conservation Genomics and Genomic Data Standardisation, will run concurrently. Each session will include selected flash talks on genomics‑driven study that fits one of the three themes and can be communicated clearly within a timed and visually engaging five‑minute presentation:

Genomics for species monitoring and management - https://eu02web.zoom-x.de/j/69230801220
Genomics techniques for conservation - https://eu02web.zoom-x.de/j/69712802206
Standardization in genomics - https://eu02web.zoom-x.de/j/62675803112

The Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) Project is funded by the European Union's Horizon Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Framework Programme

Additional support: