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The ERGA BioGenome Analysis and Applications Seminars represent a joint endeavor of the ERGA Data Analysis Committee (DAC) and the Biodiversity Genomics Europe Work Package 11 - Genome Applications. The purpose of this seminar series is to promote knowledge exchange on state-of-the-art genomic analyses and applications and to create a space for connection and analysis-oriented discussion for ERGA members and the broader genomics research community. These seminars provide opportunities for interdisciplinary interactions that explore emerging scientific trends, providing a platform for cutting-edge research, novel ideas, and insightful discussions. The series will promote an exciting agenda of talks and hands-on sessions on phylogenomics, comparative genomics, population genomics, and functional genomics. When? The seminars happen every month. Check the ERGA Calendar for more information on the upcoming sessions! All seminars will be broadcast on the ERGA YouTube channel. Watch previous sessions:

The new executive board has been elected by the Council! The team brings together six highly engaged researchers that have been active in various ERGA committees and initiatives. We congratulate each one and wish them the best for their new roles and a term full of exciting achievements and opportunities. We look forward to working together under their leadership and vision so that ERGA can advance and accomplish even more! The second ever iteration of "ERGA elections" has been successfully concluded, representing a major step in the efforts to formalise our community. As Camila Mazzoni, ERGA’s founding chair, puts it: “The Phase 1 of ERGA has established the foundation of the network and is currently undergoing consolidation with the support of the BGE Project until its completion. It is now time to initiate Phase 2, during which ERGA will actively promote the scaling up of reference genome sequencing for European Biodiversity.” The electoral procedure was approved and followed closely by the ERGA Council, in accordance with the guidelines established by the ERGA governance Document. The process also received crucial support and oversight from the Nominations Working Group chaired by Alice Mouton, the Elections Supporting Team (Christian de Guttry, Diego de Panis and João Pimenta) and the JEDI Subcommittee. The expanded structure of the executive board draws upon lessons learned during ERGA's first phase. “The newly expanded Executive Board will play a pivotal role in 1) expanding the network of partnerships and projects under the ERGA umbrella, and 2) expanding ERGA’s role as a knowledge hub that supports capacity building across Europe and ensures that genomes sequenced throughout Europe meet the required standards of the Earth BioGenome Project”, explains former chair Camila Mazzoni, “I am delighted to see the ongoing enthusiasm of our members and extend my best wishes to the new Executive Board for success in their mission to steer ERGA into Phase 2.” Learn more about each of the Executive Board roles: Playlist - ERGA Executive Board Phase 2

We are happy to invite you to the ERGA session during the Biodiversity Genomics Conference 2023! BG23 is an online, open conference and free to attend. This year the conference is organized by the Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme and Biodiversity Genomics Europe. ERGA will be hosting a session on Friday, October 6th from 14:00 to 16:00 CEST. 📅 Add the session to your calendar! The first hour will be focused on the ERGA community, and some of the committees will give brief presentations about the innovations and resources they are developing; The second hour will include invited scientific talks by ERGA members showcasing the importance of reference genomes to enhance our understanding of European biodiversity. Check the programme below: Check the Abstracts! Watch all the talks:

By Luísa Marins (for Biodiversity Genomics Europe) One of the main goals of BGE is to support the new generation of researchers in biodiversity genomics by promoting training and knowledge sharing activities across Europe. Well-qualified trainers and training materials are essential assets to achieve this objective. Representatives of many BGE partners institutions met last week at the Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece, for an intensive workshop focused on developing a foundational training framework in biodiversity genomics. The workshop also aimed at aligning activities and sharing knowledge between the reference-genomes and reference-barcodes communities of BGE. The sessions were distributed across 3 days of theoretical presentations and hands-on activities, covering major steps of the genomic workflow. This journey included everything from sample collection and DNA extraction in the “wet lab” to the final stages of data processing and uploading to computational databases. This very productive workshop was just the start of the broader BGE Joint Network Training task. The valuable insights and lessons learned in Thessaloniki are now being summarised into a handbook. These guidelines will serve as a basis for similar workshops to be organised by other BGE partner institutions across Europe throughout 2024. BGE’s effort to connect expertise from the DNA barcode and full genome strands in joint actions is focused on priority areas in biodiversity research, training, and conservation where current challenges are recognised and there are clear needs for well-aligned developments that will accelerate future work. Stay tuned while we continue our endeavour to demonstrate the benefits of working together!

This call is now closed Are you interested in producing a genome in collaboration with the Biodiversity Genomics Europe Project and ERGA? A new call for species proposals & sampling by the European community is now open! Suggested species will undergo a thorough evaluation process and a number of species will be selected for sequencing based on the process established by ERGA's Sampling & Sample Processing Committee.

This call is now closed The Biodiversity Genomics Europe consortium brings together two newly formed networks to improve our understanding of biodiversity, monitor biodiversity change, and guide interventions to prevent its decline. The BGE-ERGA stream is calling for Expressions of Interest for parties to organise BioBlitz events in biodiversity hotspots within Europe. These events can include scientific activities as well as citizen science activities related to the topic. Interested ERGA members are highly encouraged to submit applications to this call. All Expressions of Interest must include DNA barcoding, preservation of fresh specimen samples suitable for reference genome sequencing, and plan for vouchering, metadata collection suitability and permission clearance for sampling and sample export. More information about the call and details on the application process are described in this document. Please share this announcement widely, so that it can reach the maximum number of interested project leaders.

The Biodiversity Genomics Europe-ERGA stream is calling for Expressions of Interest for parties to develop Case Studies that build biodiversity genomic applications in Europe. The case studies should demonstrate the application of reference genomes and genomic data in one of two topics: 1) The Conservation of Species. 2) Species of economic importance or disease control. The Biodiversity Genomics Europe consortium brings together two newly formed networks to improve our understanding of biodiversity, monitor biodiversity change, and guide interventions to prevent its decline. Interested ERGA members are highly encouraged to submit applications to this call. All Expressions of Interest must include: (i) focus on a biological system in Europe, suitable to develop one of the two application types; (ii) genomic analyses based on at least one high quality reference genome and additional downstream data; (iii) a plan for sampling, genomic data collection and data analysis; (iv) a plan for stakeholder engagement. More information about the call and details on the application process are described in this document. Please share this announcement widely, so that it can reach the maximum number of interested project leaders.

The Biodiversity Genomics Europe consortium is organising a full day of presentations at the BG23 conference on Monday 2nd October, and we would like you to consider submitting an abstract for a presentation in this session! Original post: https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/2023/07/24/submit-your-abstract-for-the-bge-day-at-biodiversity-genomics-23/ The focus The focus of the day is the application of genome sequencing and DNA barcoding approaches to understand and characterise biodiversity in Europe. The aim is to provide a forum for sharing ideas on enhancing integration of biodiversity genomics into practical applications/topics of policy relevance including biodiversity conservation, sustainable management/utilisation of biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and environmental biomonitoring etc. The talks The talks are online, and short – 9 mins, with 3 mins for questions. The talk slots will be in sessions running from 11.15h-12.15h and 12.45h-13.45h (CET) on Monday 2nd October. The deadline for submitting an abstract is soon (the 3rd of August). How to submit your abstract To submit an abstract please go to https://events.venue-av.com/e/BG23_registration. On this screen click ‘join us’ in the blue box. This will take you through to registration. On the abstract submission page please select ‘yes’ in response to the prompt “Are you specifically interested in presenting your work at the Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) sessions on October 2nd?” If the abstract is selected, a pre-recorded talk will be required in the week of 1-8th September. Looking forward to seeing you presentation at BG23!