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Last Friday, December 5th, the ERGA Sampling & Sample Processing Committee  hosted its very first Taxon Sampling SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) “Hackathon”. Following an open invitation to the entire ERGA community, more than 80 people registered to join the event. Participants split into subgroups according to their taxonomic expertise and worked together to advance taxon-specific instructions to sample biological material for genome sequencing. ERGA’s Sampling SOPs include guidelines for the collection, documentation, vouchering, preservation, and shipping of samples for genomic research. SOPs for 17 different taxa across the tree of life are currently being developed, many of which were initiated during the Hackathon: Fungi Bryophytes Woody plants Herbaceous plants Aquatic plants  Microalgae from cultures Salmonids Freshwater fish Amphibians Carnivorous mammals Lepidoptera Coleoptera Diptera Terrestrial arthropods Ectoparasites — mites, fleas, lice Porifera Terrestrial invertebrates Would you like to join one of the SOP working groups or start a new group for a taxonomic group not yet covered? Get in touch with the SSP Committee via samples@erga-biodiversity.eu ! The development of these SOPs is greatly facilitated by the ERGA SSP Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Template, which has been carefully developed by the committee over the past months. This template offers a standardized structure for the SOPs, provides important background information, and outlines the key sections each document should include. The groups will continue their collaborative work, and all new SOPs will be made available early next year in an open-access repository. We would like to thank everyone who joined the Hackathon, and especially the SSP team, for organizing this very productive event!

Text by Didier Aurelle, Université de Toulon, CNRS The yellow gorgonian ( Eunicella cavolini ) is one of the most widespread octocoral species found in the Mediterranean sea. As with other Anthozoans (the groups of cnidarians including hard corals, black corals, sea anemons and gorgonians), it is an ecosystem engineer, contributing to the habitats of various species. Eunicella cavolini is listed as Near Threatened in the the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is impacted among others by climate change and fishing activities. In the area of Marseille this species is present at different depths and near pollution sources.  Eunicella cavolini  is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List . Photo by  F. Zuberer. Research has shown that there is a possibility of hybridisation between E. cavolini  and E. singularis.  As E. singularis  hosts symbiotic algae (Symbiodiniaceae), this hybridisation questions the evolution of symbiosis. This makes the yellow gorgonian a fascinating model species to study genomic evolution at the interplay between speciation, adaptation to anthropic pressures and symbiotic interactions .  Underwater sampling in action:  A researcher collects the specimen used to generate the reference genome. Photos by F. Zuberer. Thanks to the ERGA community and the Biodiversity Genomics Europe Project, a high-quality reference genome of E. cavolini is now available, with a length around 500 Mb (1/6 of human genome) and 17 chromosomes (click here  to read the genome report). We will work on understanding how this species can thrive near sewage outfalls or ancient industrial remnants, in the vicinity of Marseille. The results will also be useful to question the past and future evolution of Mediterranean octocorals facing climate change. Read the peer-reviewed genome report of Eunicella cavolini (Aurelle et al., 2025): https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/5-323 . Click here  to learn more about ERGA’s standardized genome reports. This project involves collaborations with CIIMAR (Jean-Baptiste Ledoux), MNHN-ISYEB (Sarah Samadi), IFREMER (Stéphane Sartoretto), OSU-Pythéas (Dorian Guillemain & Frédéric Zuberer) and IMBE (Alex Baumel & Vinciane Mossion). Learn more about the species and genome applications in this short flash talk by Didier Aurelle: Yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini) - Didier Aurelle References: Aurelle, D., Guillemain, D., Zuberer, F., Malengros, D., Böhne, A., Monteiro, R., ... & Bortoluzzi, C. (2025). ERGA-BGE reference genome of Eunicella cavolini, an IUCN Near Threatened Gorgonian of the Mediterranean Sea. Open Research Europe, 5, 323. Kipson, S., Cerrano, C., Terrón-Sigler, A., Linares, C.L. & Ozalp, B. 2015. Eunicella cavolini (Mediterranean assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T50012182A50606230. Accessed on 05 December 2025.

We are thrilled to announce the election of three new officers to the ERGA Executive Board ! Tyler Alioto, Kay Lucek, and Stefaniya Kamenova have been appointed as Scientific, Partnership, and Dissemination Officers, respectively. Tyler, Kay and Stefaniya have been active members of our community, demonstrating commitment and strong engagement across various ERGA committees. Their participation on the Executive Board will bring valuable new perspectives — we wish them great success in their new roles! This marks the fourth iteration of ERGA Executive Board elections, now a well-established process. The procedure was followed closely by the ERGA Council, in accordance with the guidelines established by the ERGA Governance Document .  The process also received crucial oversight from the Nominations Working Group and support from the Elections Supporting Team (Christian de Guttry, Diego de Panis and João Pimenta). The ERGA Executive Board includes a total of nine representatives with different roles. We thank the outgoing officers Rosa Fernández, Elena Bužan, and Chiara Bortoluzzi for their outstanding work and contributions during their time on the Executive Board! Learn more about these three officer roles: Partnership Officer Builds and steers collaborations with infrastructures, initiatives, and agencies; aligns joint work plans; supervises MoUs/data-sharing; co-develops multi-partner proposals; connects National Nodes with external partners. Dissemination Officer Ensures ERGA outputs are FAIR and visible; coordinates publications, datasets/DOIs, licences, and metadata; works with Comms, website/newsletter/social channels; supports GoaT alignment and cross-committee showcases. Scientific Officer Leads scientific direction and harmonisation; maintains roadmap from sampling to analysis; oversees SOPs, benchmarking, and compliance (open data, licences, ABS/Nagoya); coordinates across SSP, SAC, DAC, and ITIC.

The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative is a pan-European scientific response to current threats to biodiversity. Reference genomes provide the most complete insight into the genetic basis that forms each species and represent a powerful resource in understanding how biodiversity functions. With approxima HOME A GENOME ATLAS OF EUROPEAN BIODIVERSITY The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative is a pan-European scientific response to current threats to biodiversity. Reference genomes provide the most complete insight into the genetic basis that forms each species and represent a powerful resource in understanding how biodiversity functions. With approximately one fifth of the ~200,000 European species at risk of extinction, we need to act fast and together to generate high-quality complete genome resources in large scale. Science needs genomes to understand biodiversity, biodiversity needs to be understood to be protected. HIGHLIGHTS Sampling for genomics studies across the tree of life Uncovering the evolution of Mediterranean soft corals with genomics Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! EVENTS Sampling for genomics studies across the tree of life Join the Taxon Sampling SOP Hackathon! Biodiversity Reference Genomes at ENA and the ERGA Data Portal Open to Collaborate ERGA is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections. Calls OUR MISSION 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 WHAT WE DO Establishing high-quality reference genomes requires an interdisciplinary workflow From species to genomes … and beyond. From species selection to data analysis, the process of creating reference genomes for the entire biodiversity will involve a deep synergy among museums, research institutes, universities, sequencing centres, bioinformatics and computational groups. Citizens will also play an important role supporting the inclusion of all types of species. WHAT WE AIM FOR Creating and consolidating a collaborative and interdisciplinary network of scientists across Europe and associated countries Connecting relevant infrastructure across Europe following a distributed model that can dynamically increase Propagating guidelines for state-of-the-art genome establishment through training and knowledge transfer Next La comunidad ERGA tiene como objetivo optimizar la producción de genomas de referencia mediante el desarrollo y el intercambio de protocolos y flujos de trabajo, brindando acceso a recursos y apoyando el desarrollo de capacidades a través de la transferencia de conocimientos - para mejorar y ampliar el uso de datos genómicos para la protección y restauración de la biodiversidad Next OUR PROJECTS ERGA Pilot The Pilot Project was launched to demonstrate the feasibility of continent-wide collaboration. It was established, funded, and driven entirely by its members. Read more >> Biodiversity Genomics Europe ERGA has recently been funded as part of the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project through the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action. Read more ERGA Community Genomes Are you planning or developing a reference genome project of a European species? Join the growing family of ERGA Community G enomes! Read mo re “Species conservation is urgent and demands deep knowledge of the genetic features of their populations. A coordinated effort to generate complete reference genomes for all European biodiversity, such as what we are proposing with ERGA, can give us the whole picture about the adaptive differences and extent of a need for genetic rescue among populations and species.” Dr. Camila Mazzoni, Founding Chair, ERGA. Research Group Leader Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin, Germany

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Executive Board Council of Countries Committees Our Partners Pilot Project Former Contributors top OUR COMMUNITY ERGA is an bottom-up initiative based on people, consisting of hundreds of scientists across the entire European continent and beyond. Research institutions, infrastructure facilities as well as partner genome projects will play an important role within ERGA. Finally, ERGA will have a focus on societal needs particularly related to Biodiversity conservation. For that purpose, ERGA will work engaging governmental and non-governmental entities and will closely involve citizens in different actions. Executive Board Executive Board executive-board@erga-biodiversity.eu Robert Waterhouse Chair Ann Mc Cartney Vice Chair Olga Vinnere Pettersson Vice Chair Tyler Alioto Scientific Officer Kay Lucek Partnership Officer Stefaniya Kamenova Dissemination Officer Lada Lukić Bilela Social Integration Officer Camila Mazzoni Funding Opportunities Officer Jaakko Pohjoismäki Genomic Outreach Officer List of Former Executive Board Members > Council of Country Representatives Contact the national representatives for more information on the ERGA community in your country! Andorra Andorra@erga-biodiversity.eu Manel Niell List of Former Council Members > Council of Countries Committees SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing samples@erga-biodiversity.eu More > DAC - Data Analysis Committee analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Media & Communications media@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Social Justice Committee socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu More > SAC - Sequencing and Assembly Committee assembly@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ITIC - IT & Infrastructure Committee itinfra@erga-biodiversity.eu More > CS - Citizen Science citizenscience@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Annotation Committee annotation@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ELSI - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues elsi@erga-biodiversity.eu More > TKT - Training and Knowledge Transfer training@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Committees Our Partners Our Partners ERGA is the pan-European partner of the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) Affiliated Initiatives Associated Partners Pilot Project Pilot Project Committee Coordinators pilot@erga-biodiversity.eu Giulio Formenti Alice Mouton Ann Mc Cartney Learn more about the Pilot Project Former Contributors SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing Committee Filter by Type Astrid Böhne (Former Committee Chair) Former Contributors