Search Results

News 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!! Join the new ERGA Pangenomes Working Group! We are excited to launch the new ERGA Pangenomes Working Group, starting on May 25th during the DAC regular meeting. Open to beginners and experts alike, this group will focus on one of the most pressing challenges in the field of pangenomes, which is the need for standards. We also want to create a space to share ideas, discuss best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences. ERGA is a bottom-up community, and everyone’s perspective is welcome. Whether you are just getting started or already working in this area, we would love to build this together with you! Your Input for EBP Phase II As the Earth BioGenome Project moves toward Phase II, this is a key moment to understand the current capacity, priorities, and challenges across our global community. They invite everyone involved in biodiversity genome sequencing to complete a short 5-minute survey. Your responses will help provide a snapshot of who is doing this work, where it is happening, and what is needed to scale genome production effectively. The results will help EBP identify technical barriers, coordination needs, and opportunities where shared standards, support, and collaboration could accelerate progress. Unless otherwise indicated, responses will be reviewed in aggregate and will help inform Phase II planning discussions across the EBP community. 🐐 GoaT Update New data visualisation features in Genomes on a Tree ( GoaT ) , including a toggle to show value ranges and the use of the tilde (~) symbol to distinguish estimated ancestral values from direct measurements. These updates make it easier to interpret metadata across the eukaryotic tree of life. Events MCEB 2026 Mathematical and Computational Evolutionary Biology 4-8 May - Heraklion, Crete European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026 6-10 July - Leiden, The Netherlands European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB 2026) 31 August - 3 September | Geneva, Switzerland 2nd Molluscan Genomics Workshop 30 August - 3 September | Frankfurt, Germany Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) Conference 2026 21-25 September | Oslo, Norway / Hybrid BioHackathon 2026 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 do you turn many individual experiences, workflows, and challenges into something the whole community can use? Watch Katja Reichel discuss the writing behind a recent publication and how individual contributions can come together to create a resource with real value for the wider community. How many species do we walk past every day without ever noticing them? We introduce Leviellus thorelli as one of the species selected for sequencing in the Community-Driven Reference Genomes under BGE. What does it actually take to move from a biological specimen to a sequence-ready sample? Rita Monteiro presents BGE WP5 and the coordination between sample providers, specimens, and sequencing centres. Useful links HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE? Click and Submit to ERGANews! Click her e to become an ERGA Member Public EVENTS calendar here  - add this to your Calendar or iCalendar! 💬 Follow us on social media! BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube

What is biodiversity? And genomics? How are they related to each other in ways that help species monitoring and conservation? Throughout 2025, the “ ERGA – iBOL Europe Connections ” blog post series addressed these and many other questions about biodiversity genomics, such as the role that citizens play in biodiversity conservation, the difference between DNA barcodes and reference genomes, and all the related disciplines.  This series of blog posts was produced by us, the Biodiversity Genomics Europe  project’s Capacity Pillar team, composed of representatives from both the iBOL Europe  and ERGA  Secretariats.  Each Connection covers an aspect of biodiversity genomics and comes with a simplified-language version, the EasyConnection . The EasyConnections are intended for a lay audience and school pupils, and can be used by teachers at different levels of instruction. Since the end of BGE is fast approaching, we decided to collect all of the EasyConnections in a single booklet, named “Connections - Discovering Biodiversity Genomics.”  It features eight chapters, links to extra material and media, and a “Games” section at the end to test your knowledge once you've read the leaflet. To make it accessible to as wide an audience as possible, we have been translating it into different European languages, and for now, it is accessible in English , Italian and Portuguese . We hope that “Connections” will help you get a better understanding of the fascinating world of biodiversity genomics, and that you will enjoy playing with it! English Português Italiano

Introduction Welcome to the Biodiversity Genomics Alphabet ! This outreach series introduces one concept each month, using plain language and a short local story to help connect genomics to everyday observations of nature and to biodiversity questions that matter for conservation, management, and education. Each entry includes an audio version to support accessibility and translations into several European languages to help everyone reuse the material across contexts. DNA You pick a seed and wonder how it becomes a sunflower, rather than a tomato. Hidden in every cell, what makes each living being unique is a long instruction manual called DNA . This manual is made up of just four letters, each corresponding to a different type of molecule (also called a nucleotide): A (adenine), C (cytosine), G (guanine), and T (thymine). They are written one after the other hundreds, if not billions of times. The order of these letters guides how a living being is constructed and functions. Would you be surprised to learn that 94% of your DNA sequence matches that of your cat? Most people share a nearly identical DNA sequence, but the remaining tiny differences are important and are what make us different from our parents. This is because there are so many possible combinations that can be made, even with a small number of letters. It is how everyone’s DNA writes a unique story of letters. And it is these differences that make you have freckles, determine the way your hair curls (or not), or affect your height. Family members share more similar sequences than random people, which is why your smile resembles that of a parent’s and your walk resembles that of a cousin’s.  DNA, a local story In a small town, two brothers look surprisingly different. One has straight dark hair and brown eyes, the other has curly light hair and blue eyes. Their biology teacher explains that although siblings share most of their DNA, small differences in the order of DNA letters across their genomes can help shape traits like hair texture and eye colour. And you, what traits do you share with your siblings, and what’s different? DNA in action Plant breeders can compare DNA from many sunflowers to find small letter differences linked to useful traits, like drought tolerance or disease resistance. Those DNA clues help them select seeds more efficiently, so farmers can grow crops that cope better with changing conditions. The quick glossary Nucleotide:  one ‘letter’ of DNA (A, C, G, or T). DNA:  the molecule that stores biological instructions in a four-letter code (A, C, G, T). DNA sequence:  the specific order of DNA letters along the DNA molecule. Genome:  all the DNA of an organism (the complete set of its DNA instructions). Other languages Italiano 🇮🇹 DNA Prendi un seme: ti sei mai chiesto come faccia a diventare un girasole e non una pianta di pomodoro? Nascosto in ogni cellula, c’è un lungo manuale di istruzioni chiamato DNA , in grado di rendere ogni essere vivente unico. Questo manuale è scritto con sole quattro lettere, ognuna corrispondente a un diverso tipo di molecola (chiamata nucleotide): A (adenina), C (citosina), G (guanina) e T (timina). Queste lettere sono scritte una dopo l’altra, centinaia di milioni, se non miliardi, di volte. È l’ordine delle lettere a determinare il modo in cui ogni essere vivente viene costruito e funziona. Ad esempio, sapevi che il 94% della tua sequenza di DNA corrisponde a quella del tuo gatto? La maggior parte delle persone, però, condivide una sequenza di DNA quasi identica: sono allora le piccolissime differenze rimanenti a renderci diversi gli uni dagli altri. Anche con un numero così ridotto di lettere, infatti, le combinazioni possibili sono enormi: è così che il DNA di ciascuno scrive una storia unica. E sono proprio queste differenze che possono farti avere le lentiggini, determinare se i tuoi capelli sono ricci (o no) o influenzare la tua altezza. I membri della stessa famiglia condividono ovviamente sequenze più simili rispetto a persone scelte a caso: ecco perché il tuo sorriso ricorda quello di un genitore, e la tua camminata quella di un cugino. Un racconto sul DNA In una piccola città, due fratelli hanno un aspetto sorprendentemente diverso. Uno ha capelli scuri e lisci e occhi marroni, l’altro ha capelli chiari e ricci e occhi azzurri. La loro insegnante di biologia spiega che, sebbene i fratelli condividano la maggior parte del loro DNA, piccole differenze nell'ordine delle lettere del DNA nel loro genoma possono contribuire a determinare caratteristiche come la consistenza dei capelli e il colore degli occhi. E tu, quali caratteristiche condividi con i tuoi fratelli e quali sono diverse? DNA in azione I coltivatori possono confrontare il DNA di molti girasoli per individuare piccole differenze genetiche legate a caratteristiche utili, come la tolleranza alla siccità o la resistenza alle malattie. Questi caratteri genetici li aiutano a selezionare i semi in modo più efficiente, consentendo loro di coltivare prodotti che si adattino meglio alle condizioni mutevoli. Mini glossario Nucleotide:  una ‘lettera’ del DNA (A, C, G o T). DNA:  la molecola che racchiude le istruzioni biologiche in un codice di quattro lettere (i nucleotidi: A, C, G, T). Sequenza di DNA:  l’ordine specifico delle lettere del DNA lungo la molecola. Genoma:  tutto il DNA di un organismo (l’insieme completo delle sue istruzioni). Français 🇫🇷 Deutsch 🇩🇪 Slovenščina 🇸🇮 Eesti keel 🇪🇪 Bosanski 🇧🇦 Hrvatski 🇭🇷 српски 🇷🇸 P ortuguês 🇵🇹 Contributors Isabel R. Amorim, Chiara Bortoluzzi, Elena Buzan, Christian de Guttry, Maris Hindrikson, Stefaniya Kamenova, Emre Keskin, Alice Laigle, Lada Lukić Bilela, Luisa Marins, Filippo Nicolini

News Conferences 2026 - Let's connect! 2026 will be a year full of exciting events for the biodiversity genomics community in Europe. These gatherings offer excellent opportunities to meet and connect with fellow ERGA members. Click here to explore the list of key events and let us know which ones you plan to attend! BGE+ selected for funding! The BGE+ project, a a follow-up of BGE , has been selected for funding by the European Commission. This means that the consortium will continue to receive support toward its long-term objective of establishing a European research infrastructure for biodiversity genomics. Expected to start in mid-2026, BGE+ will bring several engagement and funding opportunities for the ERGA community, so stay tuned! ERGA Council 2026 January and February are months of renewals and transitions within the ERGA Council. We warmly welcome all incoming Council representatives and thank the outgoing members for their valuable contributions! This is a great moment to check your country’s representation and consider getting involved, particularly in countries where representatives are still needed. Head to the “ Our Community ” page to see who represents your country and contact them to learn more about ERGA activities at the national level. EBP Spotlight: Building communities, fostering collaboration This month’s issue of the Earth BioGenome Project newsletter, EBP Life , features a spotlight on Rob Waterhouse, current Chair of ERGA. It’s an interesting read to learn more about Rob’s career trajectory and the power of scientific communities. 🐐 GoaT Update During the last ERGA Plenary, Cibele Sotero-Caio, curator of the Genomes on a Tree ( GoaT ) database, presented an update on this important repository of genome-relevant metadata, including recent developments and ongoing efforts to address feedback from its growing user community. You can watch the recorded talk on the ERGA YouTube channel. Events Genome Annotation Workshop 2026 (Earlham Institute) 28 - 30 April, 2026 | Online MCEB 2026 Mathematical and Computational Evolutionary Biology 4-8 May - Heraklion, Crete European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026 6-10 July - Leiden, The Netherlands European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB 2026) 31 August - 3 September | Geneva, Switzerland 2nd Molluscan Genomics Workshop 30 August - 3 September | Frankfurt, Germany Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) Conference 2026 21-25 September | Oslo, Norway / Hybrid BioHackathon 2026 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 Wings, Bees, and Barcodes: Citizen Scientists Support Pollinator Genomics in Cyprus ERGA Social Justice Positioning Statement From Peaks to Parks: Citizen Scientists Join Bulgaria’s Genomic Quest for Biodiversity Useful links HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE? Click and Submit to ERGANews! Click her e to become an ERGA Member Public EVENTS calendar here  - add this to your Calendar or iCalendar! 💬 Follow us on social media! BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube

🇧🇬 Bulgarian version below About the hotspot Slavyanka Mountain and the Ali Botush UNESCO Biosphere Reserve form one of Bulgaria’s richest plant biodiversity hotspots, sheltering many endemic and protected species. The area’s unique flora makes it an ideal location for collecting specimens for reference genome sequencing, supporting conservation efforts and the preservation of unique genetic resources. Did you know? Slavyanka Mountain is home to more than 1,500 plant species, and many of them are found nowhere else in the world. About the activity From 27–30 June 2024, the GENBUL project teamed up with the NGO Center for Forest Sciences, citizen scientists, and Bulgarian botanical experts for field sampling in the Ali Botush Reserve. Citizen scientists, many of them amateur naturalists and regular hikers, learned how to find, identify, and assess the conservation status of different plant species. They also joined evening sessions to help with specimen herbarization and dry ice preservation, an experience that inspired some participants to later volunteer at the Natural History Museum in Sofia. Additional sampling took place in the Strandzha Mountain, where the team of nine scientists was joined by a smaller group of five volunteers to collect and process insect specimens with the support of Strandzha Nature Park rangers. Despite challenges in mobilising a larger team due to last-minute access issues at the original site, the activity fostered valuable exchanges between scientists, rangers, and citizen scientists, helping to raise awareness of biodiversity genomics and its applications in conservation. Relevant links: Publication “Building a genome reference database for Bulgarian biodiversity - highlights from the GenBul project”: https://aca.pensoft.net/article/151368/ The GENBUL team also organized a temporary exhibit at the Museum in Sofia on biodiversity genomics. The exhibit opening coincided with the European Researchers Night 2025, where they hosted a discussion with the public on genomics and recorded a podcast discussion on the same topic a few days later.  Read more about their participation in the  European Researchers Night 2025: https://www.nmnhs.com/25092901-news_en.html Listen to the poscast (in Bulgarian): https://www.facebook.com/nmnhs/posts/повече-за-новата-временна-изложба-разкодирана-природа-геномната-революция-в-изсл/1298876578917686/ България От върхове до природните резервати: граждани-изследователи участват в секвенирането на геномното биоразнообразие в България Ръководител на проекта Стефания Каменова 
Гореща точка на биоразнообразието Планината Славянка и резерватът „Али Ботуш“, част от програмата на ЮНЕСКО за биосферни резервати, са сред най-богатите на растително биоразнообразие места в България и убежище за множество ендемични и защитени видове. Уникалната флора на района го превръща в отлична територия за събиране на образци за геномно секвениране, което ще подпомогне опазването и устойчивото управление на тези ценни генетични ресурси. Знаехте ли че? В планината Славянка се срещат над 1500 вида растения, като значителна част от тях са уникални и не се срещат никъде другаде по света. В периода 27–30 юни 2024 г. проектът GENBUL си партнира с неправителствената организация „Център за горски науки“, като обедини граждани-изследователи и експерти ботаници от Националния природонаучен музей за събиране на теренни проби в резерват „Али Ботуш“. Много природолюбители и любители алпинисти научиха къде да търсят и как да разпознават различните растителни видове. Те се включиха и във вечерните сесии по хербаризация на образците, както и в обработката на пробите със сух лед, за да се гарантира съхраняването на растителната ДНК — преживяване, което по-късно мотивира част от участниците да станат доброволци в дигитализацията на хербарийните колекции на Националния природонаучен музей в София. Освен това екипът събра проби и от природен парк „Странджа“. С подкрепата на дирекцията на парка деветима изследователи от Националния природонаучен музей и Биологическия факултет на Софийския университет, заедно с петима доброволци, успешно уловиха множество видове редки насекоми. Въпреки затрудненията заради ремонтите по пътя и високите температури, инициативата създаде възможност за ценен обмен на знания и опит между учени, граждани-изследователи и служителите на парка, и допринесе за повишаване на осведомеността за геномните методи и тяхната роля в изучаването и опазването на биоразнообразието в България. Photo credits:   Stefaniya Kamenova This initiative was funded through Biodiversity Genomics Europe ( BGE ), a project funded by the European Union's Horizon Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Framework Programme:

Join us for this month’s ERGA Plenary meeting ! On Monday, February 16, at 15:00 CET , Cibele Sotero-Caio, curator of the Genomes on a Tree ( GoaT ) database, will present an update on this important repository of genome-relevant metadata, including recent developments and efforts to address feedback from its growing user community. Abstract Genomes on a Tree ( GoaT ) is a searchable datastore of genome-relevant metadata for eukaryotic species based on aggregated information on completed sequencing efforts (e.g. assembly metrics) and metadata dispersed across specialised databases (e.g. karyotype, genome size, country lists, etc.). GoaT collates information on sequencing intent and progress across more than 40 Earth BioGenome Project affiliates, including several initiatives under the ERGA umbrella (e.g. ATLASea, DToL, ERGA-Pilot, ERGA-BGE, Yggdrasil). GoaT generates summary values at species level by collating all existing observations for a taxon. At higher taxonomic ranks, summaries are inferred from aggregation of observed values across descendant taxa. When species-level data are unavailable, GoaT estimates values based on observations from related taxa sharing a common ancestor. On the GoaT web site, estimated values are visualised through colour-coded, thermometer-style icons, allowing users to identify interpolated data and evaluate the suitability of any estimates for their particular use case according to how far up the phylogenetic tree the underlying estimates originate. These inferred values have proven valuable for production genomics, helping to guide the allocation of sequencing resources, as well as informing expectations about genomic features in poorly characterised taxa. As the GoaT user base continues to expand, the flexible design of the resource does not always align with the expectations or needs of all user groups, particularly non-specialist users. To address this, the GoaT team collaborated with the ERGA communications team to design and disseminate a user survey aimed at: (1) characterising the GoaT user base among ERGA members, (2) identifying key challenges faced by users, and (3) collecting feedback to improve usability and user experience. Survey insights informed the development of a targeted strategy to address identified issues, clarify common misunderstandings, and produce tutorials and support materials. In this talk, I will present the actions taken in response to ERGA community feedback, outline current plans, and demonstrate how users can engage with the GoaT team to contribute and request content as we work to maximise the usability of the resource. Speaker Cibele Sotero-Caio is based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute as part of the Tree of Life Programme, where she works as the curator of the Genomes on a Tree (GoaT) database. She collaborates with the Earth BioGenome Project and other stakeholders to ensure that GoaT metadata can be used to report genome sequencing progress, support large-scale genome production, and assist with prioritisation while preventing duplication of effort across existing sequencing initiatives. 🔔 To receive the Zoom link and join this and our upcoming plenary meetings, register as an ERGA member . ▶️ You can watch all previous ERGA Plenary talks here . If you would like to suggest a speaker or topic for a future plenary session, please contact us at training@erga-biodiversity.eu . Your input is very welcome!

About the hotspot  Cyprus is a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot with a rich and distinctive invertebrate fauna, including butterflies, moths, and wild bees. Many pollinator species on the island are endemic, making them particularly important for ecosystem functioning and conservation. Pollinators are essential for maintaining natural habitats and supporting agriculture, yet their populations are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Limited taxonomic expertise among the general public has constrained large-scale monitoring efforts. In April 2024, the Cyprus University of Technology hosted two complementary citizen science events as part of the CYBIOGEN project: a Pollinator Identification Workshop and a field-based Pollinator Monitoring Activity. The events brought together 18 participants, including representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Cyprus Beekeeping Association, and environmental NGOs such as BirdLife Cyprus and the Laona Foundation, alongside amateur naturalists and university students and researchers. The day began with an introduction to the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project and the goals of the BGE Bioblitz in Cyprus. During the identification workshop , participants learned to recognize local pollinators using specimens, microscopes, taxonomic keys, and illustrated guides, while also exploring how genomics can support faster and more accurate species identification. The monitoring activity  focused on field observation and sampling. Participants practiced standard survey methods using hand nets and uploaded their records to a dedicated iNaturalist project. Despite cloudy conditions limiting insect activity, attendees gained valuable hands-on experience. All sampled insects were identified and released. Together, the events fostered collaboration among researchers, stakeholders, and citizen scientists, with participants expressing strong interest in continued involvement. Looking ahead These activities mark an important first step toward building citizen science–based pollinator monitoring in Cyprus, where very few people currently have pollinator identification expertise. By combining traditional approaches with biodiversity genomics, CYBIOGEN is helping strengthen local capacity and support long-term conservation of pollinators and their ecosystems. Photo credits:   Michael Papacharalambou This initiative was funded through Biodiversity Genomics Europe ( BGE ), a project funded by the European Union's Horizon Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Framework Programme:

2026 will be a year full of exciting events and conferences for the Biodiversity Genomics community in Europe! These offer great opportunities to meet and network with fellow ERGA members. Below is a list of key events taking place this year that may be of interest to our community. Planning to attend or organizing an event? Let us know, and we’ll keep in touch to help you connect with other ERGA members. We can also help advertise your session, talk, or event! World Biodiversity Forum 14-19 June 2026 - Davos, Switzerland ERGA related workshops: [workshop] Genome(ics)‑enabled indicators for biodiversity targets Sunday, June 14th Sign-up needed: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/WBF2026/session/55615 [workshop] Beyond the Usual Suspects: Rethinking Species Selection for the CBD GBF [workshop] Implementing and achieving the GBF goals and targets for genetic diversity Early Bird Deadline: 24.3.2026 Biodiversity Bioinformatics Summer School 21 - 26 June - Siegen, Germany Application deadline: 16 March 2026 SMBE 2026 Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology & Evolution   28 June - 2 July | Copenhagen, Denmark ERGA related Symposia: Evolutionary-informed management of vulnerable populations in a rapidly changing world Molecular Evolution in the Era of Genetic Diversity Decline New frontiers in sex evolution: evolutionary patterns and innovations The evolution of recombination landscapes From genomic graphs to evolutionary insights: standardising pangenomes for population inference Early Bird Deadline: 31.3.2026 European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026 6-10 July |  Leiden, The Netherlands ERGA related sessions: Workshop: Genomics-based Essential Biodiversity Variables for European biodiversity monitoring Round table: Stakeholders' voices on biodiversity genomics: Round Table: Local voices on genomics Symposium: Conservation genomics-based decisions in a changing Europe Early Bird Deadline: 30.4.2026 Abstract submissions until February 15! Evoluzione - Congress of the Italian Society for Evolutionary Biology 6-10 July |  Florence, Italy Early Bird Deadline: 15.06.2026 Abstract submissions until May 17!

A positioning statement from the ERGA Social Justice Committee regarding current events and recent political developments. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=915039 In November 2024, after an ERGA Council vote, the Social Justice Subcommittee became an independent committee. We are grateful for this decision. It shows that the European Reference Genome Atlas is serious about excellent science: one that is stronger when everyone can participate and succeed. As a newly formed committee, we want to honour this trust through clear goals and concrete actions. Our purpose is to recognise the many identities and lived experiences within ERGA, and in the communities we work with and live in. We want to ensure this diversity can fully join and shape ERGA’s scientific work. We know some colleagues may wonder whether our mission is too ambitious or too complicated. We understand these concerns. Real change takes time, steady action, and caring for others. Many people feel tired or unsure of past and present challenges. We are aware that an ideal academic environment does not exist today, but we wish to work towards full inclusion. Bias, exclusion, and unhealthy workplaces have not disappeared. Yet, we believe we can improve things, step by step, and that this effort is worthwhile. Social justice is everyone's daily experience. In recent years, some debates have become more divisive and polarised. We invite people with many viewpoints to engage with us. We hear from those who have worked on social justice before and felt that progress was slow or unnoticed. Our committee will focus on practical actions that will make genomics research across Europe more fair, open, and inclusive. We work across many aspects of diversity, including ethnicity, gender, social class, language, orientation, religion, neurodiversity, and disability. By taking an intersectional approach and taking action together, we aim to show that progress is possible. We also aim to show that shared success lifts us all. There is real work ahead, and it will not always be easy. We do not ignore this reality. We recognise the ERGA Council's courage in making our work more visible. Efforts toward equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion bring clear benefits. It improves our relationships with our partners’ communities. It strengthens trust and collaboration among colleagues. It creates safer and healthier workplaces. Most of all, it leads to better science. These are goals worth pursuing, and we are committed to turning them into actions. Authors: James F. Fleming, Fabrizio Ghiselli, Jennifer Leonard, Rebekah Oomen, Lada Lukic Bilela, Chiara Bortoluzzi, Christian de Guttry.

News New Publication! From Permits to Samples: Addressing Key Challenges for High-Quality Reference Genome Generation in Europe Led by the Sampling & Sample Processing Comittee , the article titled “From Permits to Samples: Addressing Key Challenges for High-Quality Reference Genome Generation in Europe " was published last week in Molecular Ecology Resources. This publication draws on the practical experiences of the ERGA community. Congratulations to all the authors! Help choose the new ERGA Logo! ERGA is working with a communications company ( https://www.musicanti.eu/en/ ) to develop a new visual identity and website. A key part of this process is selecting a new logo. Because this is such an important decision, members of the ERGA community have been invited to express their preferences on the design of the new logo . All registered ERGA members received an email with a survey link to vote on Tuesday, January 27th (please check your spam folder and contact media@erga-biodiversity.eu if you did not receive the link). The form will remain open until February 3rd, so don’t forget to cast your vote before the deadline! BG Connects policy roundtable: Report now available Photo: BGE The final act of the BG Connects event, last October, convened a group of key policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors to explore how biodiversity genomics can support Europe’s response to biodiversity loss, drive innovation and contribute to the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the European Green Deal. The roundtable, titled “Biodiversity innovation: Enabling technology for nature and green growth” , counted on the presence of Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. Become an ATLASea Species Ambassador! The ATLASea project is actively seeking input from the community for species to sequence. These have to be sampled in a marine/brackish/estuary environment, and be documented in the French EEZ (but can be sampled outside the French EEZ). If you have one or several such a species in mind for a scientific or applied project, or even would like to discuss a larger project encompassing a taxonomic group or specific geographic location, you can get in touch via the ATLASea Ambassador scheme:  https://www.atlasea.fr/en/species-ambassadors/ 🐐 GoaT Update Check below some useful tips to transform the way you work with the Genomes on a Tree ( GoaT ) Portal: Images by Anna Bramucci 🔔 Save the date! The next ERGA Plenary (Monday, February 16th at 15:00 CET) will feature a presentation by Dr Cibele Sotero-Caio, genomic data curator for the Genomes on a Tree (GoaT) databasing tool. Cibele will present the solutions found to address the feedback provided by the ERGA community and their strategies to increase transparancy and access to information. Events 2025 i5k Annual Meeting 4 February | Online Genome Annotation Workshop 2026 28 - 30 April, 2026 | Online MCEB 2026 Mathematical and Computational Evolutionary Biology 4-8 May - Heraklion, Crete European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026 6-10 July - Leiden, The Netherlands European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB 2026) 31 August - 3 September 2026 | Geneva, Switzerland Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) Conference 2026 21-25 September | Oslo, Norway / Hybrid Featured conferences with sessions organized by ERGA members: Are you attending events or organizing sessions/workshops not listed here? Let us know—we can help you reach more attendees from the biodiversity genomics community! World Biodiversity Forum 14-19 June | Davos, Switzerland Workshop: Genome(ics)‑enabled indicators for biodiversity targets Website says Invitation Only - but please just reach out for an invitation! Early Bird: 24.3.2026 Annual Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology & Evolution  SMBE 2026  28 June - 2 July | Copenhagen, Denmark Evolutionary-informed management of vulnerable populations in a rapidly changing world Molecular Evolution in the Era of Genetic Diversity Decline New frontiers in sex evolution: evolutionary patterns and innovations The evolution of recombination landscapes From genomic graphs to evolutionary insights: standardising pangenomes for population inference Early Bird: 31.3.2026 European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) 2026 6-10 July | Leiden, The Netherlands Workshop: Genomics-based Essential Biodiversity Variables for European biodiversity monitoring Round table: Stakeholders' voices on biodiversity genomics: Round Table: Local voices on genomics Symposium: Conservation genomics-based decisions in a changing Europe Early Bird: 30.4.2026 From the #ERGABlog ATLASea: progress on sequencing marine biodiversity ERGA 2025: Community Highlights 🎧 Genomic Connections # 7 - Bringing data to life: Biodiversity genomics applications Useful links HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE? Click and Submit to ERGANews! Click her e to become an ERGA Member Public EVENTS calendar here  - add this to your Calendar or iCalendar! 💬 Follow us on social media! BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube

Join us for the first ERGA Plenary meeting of 2026! On Monday, January 19, at 15:00 CET , Hugues Roest Crollius will present an update on the progress of the ATLASea program , which aims to unlock the potential of marine biodiversity genomes for fundamental research and applications. Abstract The ATLASea program (https://www.atlasea.fr) aims to unlock the potential of marine biodiversity genomes for fundamental research and applications. Funded by the French government for eight years, ATLASea conducts large-scale sampling across the French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to collect eukaryotic marine specimens and produce 4,500 high-quality reference genomes. All data and resources are made publicly available to the scientific community. In its first two years, ATLASea has established standardized sampling and sequencing protocols, developed a dedicated informatics infrastructure, and built international partnerships within the Ocean Decade, the Earth BioGenome Project, and the European Reference Genome Atlas. Sampling campaigns along the French metropolitan coasts and in overseas territories (Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea) have yielded over 2,300 species, with more than 200 genomes already sequenced from diverse marine taxa. Preliminary results will be presented, revealing remarkable variations of genome properties and highlighting novel co-biontic associations when multiple organismal genomes are recovered from shared DNA extracts. Speaker Hugues Roest Crollius is a CNRS researcher leading a group at the IBENS in Paris on comparative genomics, particularly in vertebrates. He also co-leads the ATLASea programme, to sequence the genomes of several thousands marine species in the French EEZ. 🔔 To receive the Zoom link and join this and our upcoming plenary meetings, register as an ERGA member . ▶️ You can watch all previous ERGA Plenary talks here . If you would like to suggest a speaker or topic for a future plenary session, please contact us at training@erga-biodiversity.eu . We welcome your input!

29–31 October 2025 Summary 🗓️ Dates:  29 - 31 October 2025 ( click to add to your agenda! ) 🔗 Online venue: ERGA YouTube Channel Conference programme 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 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. 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: