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News A new ERGA Framework for community-engaged biodiversity genomics A new ERGA-associated article in Biological Conservation presents a five-step framework for engaging European Local Communities in biodiversity genomics research. The article argues that genomic data can better support conservation, management, and policy when research is developed with attention to the people who live in, work with, and care for the species and places being studied. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) can help shape sampling, interpretation, communication, and the practical use of results, while early dialogue is especially important for projects involving biological materials, genomic data, locality information, repository deposition, and future reuse. The framework guides researchers through early relationship building, respect for local context, co-created roles, transparent benefit sharing, and long-term knowledge transfer. For ERGA, the article contributes to ongoing efforts to make biodiversity genomics more open, locally informed, and useful for conservation decision-making. More information is available here. SMBE 2026 - Wrap up Thank you to everyone who passed by the ERGA booth at SMBE 2026 to meet us, ask questions, and discuss the future of biodiversity genomics. It was motivating to hear about the directions in which genomics-based research is moving, and to connect with so many members of the community in person. We would also like to thank all participants in the Pangenomes symposium for contributing to such a thoughtful and timely discussion. A special thank you goes to our two fantastic ERGA ambassadors, Roisin Long and Sonia Cebrian Camison. The new ERGA Voices series will begin with their interview, so stay tuned for this new project!!! Call for ERGA proposal leads: Biodiversa+ 2026–2027 The ERGA Executive Board invites short Expressions of Interest from ERGA members who would like to lead a proposal for the upcoming Biodiversa+ 2026–2027 Joint Call, Novel ecosystems: biodiversity, socio-ecological consequences and future trajectories. EOIs should briefly describe the research idea, main objectives, partners or expertise sought, and relevant data, resources, or infrastructures. Possible themes include population connectivity, urban ecosystems, and caves or other systems under novel environmental pressures, although ideas across the full scope of the call are welcome. Selected proposal leads will receive support from the ERGA Executive Board in building consortia and aligning proposals with ERGA priorities. EOIs should be submitted between 17 August and 4 September 2026 to funding@erga-biodiversity.org. More information about the call is available here. Comparative Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes: Exceptions to the rules ERGA is pleased to help share CGUE26, the 2026 edition of Comparative Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes: Exceptions to the rules, taking place in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Spain, from 5–10 October 2026. The meeting will bring together researchers working across comparative genomics, molecular evolution, cell biology, and the diversity of unicellular eukaryotes. With invited and contributed talks, poster sessions, early-career researcher activities, and opportunities for discussion, CGUE26 offers a valuable space to explore how protist genomes are reshaping our understanding of eukaryotic biology. Registration is open on a rolling basis, with limited capacity and a current deadline of 15 July 2026. More information and registration details are available on the official CGUE26 website. 🌍 BGE+ Cascade Funding BGE+ Cascade Funding will provide a route for community-led activities that contribute to the objectives of the project and support the wider development of biodiversity genomics across Europe. Beginning at the September Plenary, we will make a series of presentations to explain the scope of the funding, the expected application process, and the types of applicants and partnerships that may be eligible. These updates will continue in the period leading to the opening of the official call, which is currently planned for February 2027. In the meantime, members who are interested in developing potential proposals or identifying partners within and outside their countries are encouraged to contact their national representatives and/or the ERGA Secretariat (secretariat@erga-biodiversity.org). 🪢 ERGA CONSENSA - COST Action Community members will soon be able to express their interest in participating in the ERGA COST Action through the official COST website. Once the Action page is available, participants should read the Memorandum of Understanding, identify the Working Group or Working Groups most closely aligned with their expertise, and apply through the Action page using an e-COST profile. This is the standard route described by COST for joining a COST Action as a Working Group member. Members who are interested in a Management Committee role should follow the separate national nomination process through the COST National Coordinator in their country. Further information will be shared with the ERGA community as soon as the Action page and application link are available. Useful COST links are available here: how to participate in an ongoing COST Action, browse COST Actions, create or access an e-COST profile, and find your COST National Coordinator. The ERGA Pangenomes Working Group! We would like to thank the 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. Everyone in the ERGA community is welcome to subscribe and take part, including members who are beginning to explore pangenomes and those already working with pangenome methods, tools, or data. The Working Group has also started defining its first actions, with the aim of completing this initial phase by the next meeting in September. 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. Further information is available in the meeting agenda here. Events 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! Useful links HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE? Click and Submit to ERGANews! Click here to become an ERGA Member Public EVENTS calendar here - add this to your Calendar or iCalendar! 💬 Follow us on social media! BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube

Biodiversity genomics is changing how researchers understand species, populations, and ecosystems. Genome-wide data can reveal genetic diversity, population structure, inbreeding, gene flow, and signals of adaptation. These insights can help inform conservation, management, and policy. Yet the meaning and usefulness of genomic evidence often depend on the places, species, and people connected to the research. A new perspective article published in Biological Conservation, Engaging European local communities in biodiversity genomics research: A five-step framework for scientists, addresses this relationship directly. Developed by members of the ERGA community and collaborators, the article proposes a practical framework for engaging European Local Communities in biodiversity genomics projects. The paper starts from a simple point. People who live in, work with, and care for particular places often hold knowledge that cannot be recovered from sequence data alone. Fishers, farmers, foresters, hunters, birdwatchers, local associations, residents, and other community members may know how species move, where they were once found, when habitats changed, or which management actions are likely to be feasible. This Local Ecological Knowledge can improve sampling design, inform interpretation, and help translate results into decisions that make sense in local contexts. The authors also recognise that engagement is still uneven in biodiversity genomics. Researchers may lack time, training, incentives, or practical guidance. Communities may be asked to provide samples, access, or observations without being involved in shaping the questions, interpreting the findings, or deciding how results should be shared. Genomics adds further complexity because projects often involve biological materials, genomic sequence data, genetic variant data, locality information, repository deposition, Digital Sequence Information, and possible future reuse. The proposed framework offers five connected steps for research teams. It begins with identifying relevant communities and building relationships early, before sampling or data collection begins. It then asks researchers to learn and respect local context, communication norms, and knowledge protocols. The third step focuses on co-creating the research process, including shared roles, training, and decision-making where communities wish to take part. The fourth step addresses transparency and mutual benefit, including data management, recognition, communication, and realistic expectations. The final step calls for long-term engagement and knowledge transfer, so that results remain understandable, accessible, and useful after publication. The article is careful not to present community engagement as a simple add-on. It describes it as work that requires time, resources, humility, and clear agreements. It also recognises that participation may not always be possible or desired. In some cases, communities may decline involvement. In others, Local Ecological Knowledge, genomic results, and ecological observations may point in different directions. The framework encourages researchers to document these forms of evidence side by side, with their limits and uncertainties visible. The paper also places biodiversity genomics within a changing policy landscape. Genome-wide evidence can contribute to conservation and management questions linked to genetic diversity, sustainable use, invasive species, disease risk, and biodiversity reporting. For these contributions to be useful beyond research settings, findings need to be communicated in ways that public authorities, practitioners, and communities can understand and evaluate. For ERGA, the article reflects a wider commitment to biodiversity genomics that is open, responsible, and connected to the people and places it seeks to serve. Reference genomes and population genomic data are powerful tools, but their value grows when they are combined with ecological knowledge, clear communication, and respectful collaboration. This framework offers a starting point for research teams, funders, and community partners who want biodiversity genomics to support conservation decisions in a more transparent and locally informed way. Link to the article

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 World Biodiversity Forum (WBF) 2026 14–19 June – Davos, Switzerland 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 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. Useful links HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE? Click and Submit to ERGANews! Click here to become an ERGA Member Public EVENTS calendar here - add this to your Calendar or iCalendar! 💬 Follow us on social media! BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube

ERGA has been awarded a new COST Action focused on making biodiversity genomics easier to use, compare, and apply across Europe. Genomic data can provide detailed insight into genetic diversity, harmful variation, and introgression, but these data remain difficult to translate into shared practice. Here, the focus is not on reference genome production itself, but on the downstream use of genome-wide data, including WGS-based analyses, metadata, interpretation, reporting, and communication. Studies often differ in how samples are collected, how data are processed, how metadata are recorded, and how results are reported. This makes it harder for researchers, conservation practitioners, and policymakers to compare evidence across species, regions, and time. The new Action will address this gap through a pan-European network built around shared standards and practical exchange. Its working groups will focus on experimental design and genome-wide analysis, metadata, conservation applications, training, and communication. The aim is not to prescribe one rigid route for every project. It is to create a common language and a set of usable practices that can help different communities work together with greater clarity. This includes people already working in biodiversity genomics, as well as groups that need genomic evidence but may not yet have the same access to training, infrastructure, or specialist support. For ERGA, the COST Action is a natural extension of the community’s work on reference genomes. It moves from producing high-quality genomic resources towards helping those resources support biodiversity assessment, conservation planning, and policy-facing work. The Action will create opportunities for training, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and participation from countries and groups that have had fewer opportunities to contribute to this field. In this sense, it is both a scientific and a community effort: a way to make biodiversity genomics more consistent, more accessible, and more useful for the people who need to interpret and apply it. Stay tuned!!!!

BGE+ (Biodiversity Genomics Europe plus) is the next phase of the Biodiversity Genomics Europe initiative. It builds on previous community work to strengthen how genomic evidence is produced, shared, and applied across Europe. The project brings together iBOL Europe, ERGA, and CETAF, connecting communities working on DNA barcoding, reference genomes, taxonomy, natural history collections, informatics, training, and biodiversity policy. Its aim is to help make biodiversity genomics more coordinated, more interoperable, and more useful for research, monitoring, conservation, and policy. For ERGA, BGE+ provides dedicated support for the European reference genome community through a work package focused on network development, member engagement, BioGenome Hubs, training, and community-led activities. This work recognises the expertise already present across ERGA and aims to make it easier for members to share knowledge, develop projects, access guidance, and contribute to high-quality genome resources. It also creates space to support new groups, strengthen links between countries and institutions, and help reference genome work grow in a coordinated but distributed way. BGE+ will also support community projects through cascade grants and will contribute to broader efforts around standards, data reuse, and capacity building. For ERGA members, this offers both a practical opportunity and a longer-term one: support for genome-related activities now, and a chance to help shape how biodiversity genomics develops in Europe. Stay tuned!!!

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. RNA DNA is the long instruction manual that determines what organisms are. RNA is what cells use when they need to get something done right away. In plants and animals, DNA is kept safely protected inside the cell, but when a cell needs to do a task, such as helping a plant flower or helping a tadpole grow legs, it makes an RNA copy from a small part of the DNA sequence. RNA is another molecule written with four letters, almost like DNA, but with one small difference: RNA uses U, for uracil, where DNA uses T, for thymine. Some RNA copies act like messengers, carrying messages to the places in the cell where work happens. Some RNA copies help the cell build proteins, while others act like timekeepers, helping decide when a specific part of the DNA should be copied into RNA and when it should stay quiet. These RNA messages help the cell build, fix, protect, and adjust as conditions change. Studying RNA is like stepping into a busy workshop and seeing which messages are being passed around, revealing what the cell is working on at that very moment. RNA, a local story On a sunny balcony, a teenager is growing two tomato plants in pots. One plant gets watered regularly, but the other is forgotten for a couple of hot days while the family is busy. By the afternoon, the thirsty plant looks droopy, and its leaves hang down. After watering, it slowly perks up again. Later, a neighbour who loves gardening explains a simple idea: inside the plant, cells copy parts of their DNA into RNA depending on what the plant needs that day. When water is scarce, the plant sends different messages than it does when conditions are comfortable, helping it focus on coping rather than growing fast. After a few weeks, the two plants look different, and the teenager realises that these invisible messages helped guide how each plant responded. And you, have you noticed how plants around your home or street change during hot or dry days? RNA in action Farmers and researchers can study RNA in crops during a heatwave or a dry period to see which messages plants are using to respond. This can help identify which plant varieties switch on helpful responses more strongly or more quickly, supporting breeding and farming choices that make agriculture more resilient as conditions change. The quick glossary RNA: a molecule made by copying small part of the DNA, used by cells to carry out tasks. RNA copy: an RNA “note” that carries information copied from DNA. Nucleus: the compartment in plant and animal cells where DNA is stored. Other languages Italiano 🇮🇹 (Traduzione di Flavia Leotta) RNA Il DNA è il lungo manuale d’istruzioni che determina cosa sono gli organismi. L’RNA è ciò che le cellule usano quando hanno bisogno di fare qualcosa sul momento. Nelle piante e negli animali, il DNA viene conservato al sicuro all’interno della cellula, ma quando una cellula deve svolgere una certa attività, come aiutare una pianta a fiorire o far crescere delle gambe a un girino, crea una copia di RNA a partire da una piccola parte della sequenza di DNA. L’RNA è un’altra molecola scritta utilizzando quattro lettere, quasi come il DNA, ma con una piccola differenza: l’RNA usa la U, che sta per uracile, mentre il DNA usa la T, che sta per timina. Alcune copie di RNA si comportano da messaggeri, trasportando messaggi verso quei luoghi della cellula dove si svolgerà il lavoro. Alcune copie di RNA aiutano le cellule a costruire le proteine, mentre altre si comportano da cronometriste, aiutando a decidere se una specifica parte del DNA vada copiata in RNA e quando invece debba rimanere in silenzio. Questi messaggi a RNA aiutano le cellule a costruire, aggiustare, proteggere e ad adattarsi quando le condizioni cambiano. Studiare l’RNA è come entrare in un laboratorio indaffarato e vedere quali messaggi vengono fatti circolare, rivelando ciò di cui la cellula si sta occupando in quel preciso momento. Un racconto sull’RNA Su un balcone soleggiato, un adolescente sta coltivando due piante di pomodoro in vaso. Una pianta viene annaffiata regolarmente, ma l’altra viene dimenticata per un paio di giorni afosi mentre la famiglia è occupata. Al pomeriggio, la pianta assetata appare moscia, e le sue foglie pendono verso il basso. Dopo essere stata innaffiata, si ravviva piano piano. Più tardi, un vicino che ama il giardinaggio, spiega un semplice concetto: dentro la pianta, le cellule copiano parte del loro DNA in RNA, in base a ciò di cui la pianta ha bisogno quel giorno. Quando l’acqua scarseggia, la pianta manda differenti messaggi rispetto a quando le condizioni sono favorevoli, aiutandola a concentrarsi sulla sopravvivenza piuttosto che sulla crescita rapida. Dopo un paio di settimane, le due piante appaiono differenti, e il ragazzo realizza che questi messaggi invisibili hanno guidato la risposta delle due piante. E tu, hai notato come le piante attorno a casa tua o in strada cambiano durante i giorni caldi o asciutti? L’RNA in azione I contadini e i ricercatori possono studiare l’RNA nelle piante da coltura durante un’ondata di caldo o un periodo di siccità per vedere quali messaggi le piante usano per reagire. Questo può aiutare a identificare quali varietà di piante attivano risposte utili più intensamente o più velocemente, supportando le scelte di selezione e coltivazione che rendano le colture più resilienti al variare delle condizioni. Mini glossario RNA: una molecola creata copiando una piccola parte del DNA, usata dalle cellule per portare a termine dei compiti. Copia di RNA: un “messaggio” di RNA che porta con sé informazioni copiate dal DNA. Nucleo: il compartimento nelle cellule animali e vegetali dove viene conservato il DNA. Français 🇫🇷 (Traduction par Christian de Guttry) ARN L’ADN est le long manuel d’instructions qui détermine ce que sont les organismes. L’ARN est ce que les cellules utilisent lorsqu’elles doivent faire quelque chose immédiatement. Chez les plantes et les animaux, l’ADN est conservé en sécurité à l’intérieur de la cellule, mais lorsqu’une cellule doit accomplir une tâche, par exemple aider une plante à fleurir ou un têtard à faire pousser des pattes, elle fabrique une copie d’ARN à partir d’une petite partie de la séquence d’ADN. L’ARN est une autre molécule écrite avec quatre lettres, presque comme l’ADN, mais avec une petite différence : l’ARN utilise U, pour uracile, là où l’ADN utilise T, pour thymine. Certaines copies d’ARN agissent comme des messagers, en transportant des informations vers les endroits de la cellule où le travail se fait. Certaines copies d’ARN aident la cellule à fabriquer des protéines, tandis que d’autres agissent comme des garde-temps, en aidant à décider quand une partie précise de l’ADN doit être copiée en ARN, et quand elle doit rester silencieuse. Ces messages d’ARN aident la cellule à construire, réparer, protéger et s’adapter lorsque les conditions changent. Étudier l’ARN, c’est comme entrer dans un atelier très actif et voir quels messages circulent, révélant ainsi ce sur quoi la cellule travaille à ce moment précis. Une histoire sur l’ARN Sur un balcon ensoleillé, un adolescent fait pousser deux plants de tomate en pot. L’un est arrosé régulièrement, mais l’autre est oublié pendant quelques jours de chaleur alors que la famille est occupée. Dans l’après-midi, la plante assoiffée a l’air toute molle, et ses feuilles retombent. Après avoir été arrosée, elle se redresse peu à peu. Plus tard, un voisin passionné de jardinage lui explique une idée simple : à l’intérieur de la plante, les cellules copient des parties de leur ADN en ARN selon ce dont la plante a besoin ce jour-là. Quand l’eau manque, la plante envoie des messages différents de ceux qu’elle produit lorsque les conditions sont confortables, ce qui l’aide à faire face à la situation plutôt qu’à grandir rapidement. Après quelques semaines, les deux plants ont un aspect différent, et l’adolescent comprend que ces messages invisibles ont aidé à guider la réponse de chaque plante. Et vous, avez-vous remarqué comment les plantes autour de chez vous ou dans votre rue changent pendant les journées chaudes ou sèches ? L'ARN en action Les agriculteurs et les chercheurs peuvent étudier l’ARN des cultures pendant une vague de chaleur ou une période sèche pour voir quels messages les plantes utilisent pour réagir. Cela peut aider à repérer quelles variétés végétales activent des réponses utiles plus fortement ou plus rapidement, et ainsi soutenir des choix de sélection et de culture qui rendent l’agriculture plus résistante face à l’évolution des conditions. Petit glossaire ARN : une molécule fabriquée à partir d’une petite partie de l’ADN, utilisée par les cellules pour accomplir des tâches. Copie d’ARN : un « message » d’ARN qui transporte une information copiée à partir de l’ADN. Noyau : le compartiment des cellules végétales et animales où l’ADN est stocké. Bosanski 🇧🇦 (Prevela Lada Lukic Bilela) RNK DNK je dugi priručnik s uputama koji određuje šta su organizmi. RNK je ono čime se ćelije koriste kada nešto trebaju uraditi odmah. Kod biljaka i životinja DNK je sigurno zaštićena unutar ćelije. Ali kada ćelija treba izvršiti neki zadatak, naprimjer pomoći biljci da procvjeta ili punoglavcu da razvije noge, ona napravi RNK kopiju malog dijela DNK sekvence. RNK je još jedna molekula zapisana pomoću četiri slova, vrlo slična DNK, ali s jednom važnom razlikom: RNK koristi U, uracil, tamo gdje DNK koristi T, timin. Neke RNK molekule imaju ulogu glasnika, prenoseći upute do dijelova ćelije gdje se obavlja zadatak. Druge pomažu ćeliji u izgradnji proteina, dok neke djeluju kao vremenski regulatori, određujući kada se pojedini dio DNK treba prepisati u RNK, a kada treba da ostane neaktivan. Ove RNK poruke pomažu ćeliji da gradi, popravlja, štiti se i prilagođava promjenama uslova. Proučavanje RNK je kao ulazak u užurbanu radionicu i posmatranje kakve se poruke razmjenjuju, otkrivajući na čemu ćelija radi upravo u tom trenutku. RNK – jedna lokalna priča Na sunčanom balkonu, tinejdžer u saksijama uzgaja dvije biljke paradajza. Jednu biljku redovno zalijeva, a drugu zaboravi da zalije nekoliko vrelih dana, zbog porodičnih obaveza. Do poslijepodne, žedna biljka izgleda klonulo sa obješenim listovima. Nakon zalijevanja, polako se ponovo oporavlja. Kasnije, komšija koji voli vrtlarstvo objašnjava jednostavnu ideju: unutar biljke, ćelije prepisuju dijelove svoje DNK u RNK, zavisno od toga šta je biljci tog dana potrebno. Kada nema dovoljno vode, biljka šalje drugačije poruke nego kada su uslovi povoljni, što joj pomaže da se usmjeri na preživljavanje umjesto na brz rast. Nakon nekoliko sedmica ove dvije biljke izgledaju sasvim drugačije, a tinejdžer shvata da su te nevidljive poruke pomogle svakoj biljci da se prilagodi uslovima u kojima je rasla. A vi, jeste li primijetili kako se biljke oko vaše kuće ili ulice mijenjaju u vrelim ili sušnim danima? RNK u praksi Farmeri i istraživači mogu proučavati biljne RNK u usjevima u vrijeme toplinskog vala ili sušnog razdoblja kako bi vidjeli koje poruke biljke koriste za odgovor na stres. To može pomoći u prepoznavanju biljnih sorti koje snažnije ili brže aktiviraju korisne odgovore, podržavajući oplemenjivanje biljaka i one prakse koje čine poljoprivredne kulture otpornijima na promjenjive uslove. Kratki rječnik RNK: molekula nastala prepisivanjem malog dijela DNK, koju ćelije koriste za izvršavanje zadataka. RNK kopija: RNK “bilješka” koja prenosi informacije prepisane sa DNK molekule. Jedro: dio biljne ili životinjske ćelije u kojem je smještena DNK. Hrvatski 🇭🇷 (Prevela Lada Lukic Bilela) RNA DNA je dugi priručnik s uputama koji određuje što organizmi jesu. RNA je ono što stanice koriste kada nešto trebaju odmah učiniti. Kod biljaka i životinja DNA je sigurno zaštićena unutar stanice. No kada je potrebno obaviti neki zadatak, primjerice pomoći biljci procvjetati ili punoglavcu razviti noge, stanica napravi prijepis jednog malog dijela DNA slijeda u RNA. RNA je još jedna molekula zapisana s pomoću četiri slova, vrlo slična DNA, no s jednom važnom razlikom: RNA koristi U, uracil, na mjestima gdje DNA koristi T, timin. Neke RNA molekule imaju ulogu glasnika, prenoseći upute do dijelova stanice gdje se obavlja zadatak. Druge pomažu stanici u izgradnji proteina, dok neke djeluju poput vremenskih regulatora, pomažući u usmjeravanju kada je određeni dio DNA potrebno prepisati u RNA, a kada treba ostati neaktivan. Ove RNA poruke pomažu stanici da gradi, popravlja, štiti se i prilagođava promjenama uvjeta. Proučavanje RNA nalikuje ulasku u užurbanu radionicu i promatranju koje se poruke razmjenjuju, otkrivajući što se događa i kakve zadatke stanica upravo obavlja u tom trenutku. RNA, jedna lokalna priča Na sunčanom balkonu, tinejdžer u teglama uzgaja dvije biljke rajčice. Jednu biljku redovito zalijeva, a drugu nekoliko vrućih dana zaboravi zaliti zbog obiteljskih obveza. Do poslijepodneva, žedna biljka izgleda klonulo, spuštenih listova. Nakon zalijevanja, polako se počinje oporavljati. Kasnije susjed koji voli vrtlarstvo objašnjava jednostavnu ideju: unutar biljke, stanice prepisuju dijelove svoje DNA u RNA, ovisno o tomu što je biljci tog dana potrebno. U nestašici vode, biljka šalje drugačije poruke nego kada su uvjeti povoljni, što joj pomaže da se usmjeri na preživljavanje umjesto na brz rast. Nakon nekoliko tjedana ove dvije biljke izgledaju posve različlto, a tinejdžer shvaća da su te nevidljive poruke pomogle svakoj biljci da se prilagodi uvjetima u kojima je rasla. A vi, jeste li primijetili kako se biljke oko vašeg doma ili ulice mijenjaju tijekom vrućih ili sušnih dana? RNA u praksi Poljoprivrednici i znanstvenici mogu izučavati molekule RNA biljaka u usjevima tijekom toplinskog vala ili sušnog razdoblja u potrazi za porukama koje biljke koriste kao odgovor na stres. To uvelike pomaže u prepoznavanju onih biljnih sorti koje snažnije ili brže aktiviraju korisne odgovore, podržavajući oplemenjivanje biljaka i dobre prakse koje poljoprivredne kulture čine otpornijima na promjenjive uvjete. Mali pojmovnik RNA: molekula nastala prepisivanjem malog dijela DNA, koju stanice koriste za obavljanje svojih zadataka. RNA prijepis (kopija): RNA “bilješka” koja prenosi informacije prepisane s molekule DNA. Jezgra: dio biljne ili životinjske stanice u kojem je pohranjena molekula DNA. 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, Svein-Ole Mikalsen, Dragan Gačić, Elena Buzan.

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 🇮🇹 (Traduzione di Filippo Nicolini) 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 🇫🇷 (Traduction par Christian de Guttry) ADN Vous prenez une graine et vous vous demandez comment elle devient un tournesol plutôt qu'une tomate. Caché dans chaque cellule, ce qui rend chaque être vivant unique est un long mode d'emploi appelé ADN. Ce mode d'emploi est composé de seulement quatre lettres, chacune correspondant à un type de molécule (également appelée nucléotide) : A (adénine), C (cytosine), G (guanine) et T (thymine). Elles sont écrites les unes après les autres des centaines, voire des milliards de fois. L'ordre de ces lettres guide la construction et le fonctionnement d'un être vivant. Seriez-vous surpris d'apprendre que 94 % de votre séquence d'ADN correspond à celle de votre chat ? La plupart des gens partagent une séquence d'ADN presque identique, mais les minuscules différences restantes sont importantes, nous distinguant de nos parents. En effet, même avec un petit nombre de lettres, il existe un nombre infini de combinaisons possibles. C'est ainsi que l'ADN de chacun écrit une histoire unique. Et ce sont ces différences qui vous donnent des taches de rousseur, déterminent la façon dont vos cheveux bouclent (ou non) ou influencent votre taille. Les membres d'une même famille partagent des séquences plus similaires que des personnes tirées au hasard, c'est pourquoi votre sourire ressemble à celui d'un parent et votre démarche à celle d'un cousin. Une histoire sur l’ADN Dans une petite ville, deux frères ont une apparence étonnamment différente. L’un a les cheveux lisses et foncés et les yeux marron, l’autre a les cheveux bouclés et clairs et les yeux bleus. Leur professeur·e de biologie leur explique que, même si les frères et sœurs partagent la majeure partie de leur ADN, de petites différences dans l’ordre des lettres d’ADN dans leur génome peuvent contribuer à façonner des traits tels que la texture des cheveux et la couleur des yeux. Et vous, quels traits partagez-vous avec vos parents, et en quoi êtes-vous différent·e·s ? L'ADN en action Les cultivateurs peuvent comparer l'ADN de nombreux tournesols afin d'identifier de petites différences génétiques liées à des caractéristiques utiles, telles que la tolérance à la sécheresse ou la résistance aux maladies. Ces indices génétiques les aident à sélectionner plus efficacement les semences, permettant ainsi aux agriculteurs de cultiver des plantes mieux adaptées aux conditions climatiques changeantes. Petit glossaire Nucléotide : une « lettre » de l'ADN (A, C, G ou T). ADN : molécule qui stocke les instructions biologiques sous la forme d'un code à quatre lettres (A, C, G, T). Séquence d'ADN : ordre spécifique des lettres de l'ADN. Génome : ensemble de l'ADN d'un organisme (ensemble complet de ses instructions ADN). Deutsch 🇩🇪 (Übersetzung von Kay Lucek) DNA Sie nehmen einen Pflanzensamen und fragen sich, warum daraus eine Sonnenblume und nicht eine Tomatenpflanze wird. Versteckt in jeder Zelle liegt das, was jedes Lebewesen einzigartig macht: ein langes Handbuch mit Anweisungen für den Aufbau jedes Lebewesens, das DNA heißt. Dieses Handbuch besteht aus nur vier Buchstaben, und jeder steht für ein bestimmtes Molekül (auch Nukleotid genannt): A (Adenin), C (Cytosin), G (Guanin) und T (Thymin). Diese Buchstaben stehen hintereinander, Hunderte Millionen, wenn nicht Milliarden, Male. Die Reihenfolge dieser Buchstaben beeinflusst, wie ein Lebewesen aufgebaut ist und wie es funktioniert. Wären Sie überrascht zu erfahren, dass 94 % Ihrer DNA-Sequenz mit der Katze übereinstimmen? Die meisten Menschen haben eine nahezu identische DNA-Sequenz, aber die winzigen verbleibenden Unterschiede sind wichtig, und sie sind es, die uns von unseren Eltern unterscheiden. Denn selbst mit nur wenigen Buchstaben gibt es unzählige Kombinationen. So schreibt die DNA jeder Person eine einzigartige Buchstabengeschichte. Und genau diese Unterschiede können dazu beitragen, dass Sie Sommersprossen haben, bestimmen, ob sich Ihre Haare locken (oder nicht), oder Ihre Körpergröße beeinflussen. Familienmitglieder teilen ähnlichere Sequenzen als zufällig ausgewählte Personen, deshalb ähnelt Ihr Lächeln dem eines Elternteils und Ihr Gang dem einer Cousine oder eines Cousins. DNA, eine lokale Geschichte In einer kleinen Stadt sehen zwei Geschwister erstaunlich unterschiedlich aus. Eine Person hat glatte, dunkle Haare und braune Augen, die andere lockige, helle Haare und blaue Augen. Ihre Biologielehrkraft erklärt, dass Geschwister zwar den größten Teil ihrer DNA teilen, aber kleine Unterschiede in der Reihenfolge der DNA-Buchstaben über ihr Genom hinweg dazu beitragen können, Merkmale wie Haarstruktur und Augenfarbe zu prägen. Und Sie: Welche Merkmale teilen Sie mit Ihren Geschwistern und Verwandten – und was ist anders? DNA in Aktion Pflanzenzüchterinnen und -züchter können die DNA vieler Sonnenblumen vergleichen, um kleine Unterschiede in den Buchstaben zu finden, die mit nützlichen Eigenschaften zusammenhängen, zum Beispiel Trockenheitsverträglichkeit oder Krankheitsresistenz. Diese Hinweise in der DNA helfen dabei, Samen gezielter auszuwählen, sodass Landwirtinnen und Landwirte Pflanzen anbauen können, die mit sich verändernden Bedingungen besser zurechtkommen. Kurzglossar Nukleotid: ein „Buchstabe“ der DNA (A, C, G oder T). DNA: das Molekül, das biologisches Erbgut in einem Vier-Buchstaben-Code speichert (A, C, G, T). DNA-Sequenz: die genaue Reihenfolge der DNA-Buchstaben entlang der DNA. Genom: die gesamte DNA eines Organismus (das komplette Set seiner DNA-Anweisungen). Slovenščina 🇸🇮 (Prevedla Elena Buzan) DNK Izbereš seme in se sprašuješ, kako iz njega zraste sončnica in ne paradižnik. V vsaki celici, skrito očem, se nahaja dolgo navodilo, ki vsako živo bitje naredi edinstveno; imenuje se DNK. Ta priročnik je sestavljen iz samo štirih črk, od katerih vsaka predstavlja drugačno vrsto molekule (imenovane tudi nukleotid): A (adenin), C (citozin), G (gvanin) in T (timin). Te črke so zapisane ena za drugo stokrat, tisočkrat, celo milijardokrat. Vrstni red teh črk usmerja, kako je živo bitje zgrajeno in kako deluje. Bi te presenetilo, če bi izvedel/a, da se 94 % zaporedja tvoje DNK ujema z DNK tvoje mačke? Večina ljudi ima skoraj povsem enako zaporedje DNK, vendar so majhne preostale razlike zelo pomembne, saj nas ločujejo od naših staršev. To je zato, ker je možnih izjemno veliko kombinacij, tudi če imamo na voljo le majhno število črk. Prav tako DNK vsakega posameznika piše edinstveno zgodbo črk. Te razlike določajo, ali imaš pege, kako se tvoji lasje kodrajo (ali pa se sploh ne) in lahko vplivajo tudi na tvojo telesno višino. Družinski člani si delijo bolj podobna zaporedja DNK kot naključni ljudje, zato je tvoj nasmeh podoben nasmehu enega od staršev, tvoja hoja pa spominja na hojo katerega od bratrancev ali sestričen. DNK, lokalna zgodba V majhnem mestu sta si dva brata na videz presenetljivo različna. Eden ima ravne temne lase in rjave oči, drugi pa kodraste svetle lase in modre oči. Njun učitelj biologije razloži, da si sorojenci sicer delijo večino svoje DNK, vendar lahko majhne razlike v zaporedju črk DNK po celotnem genomu vplivajo na lastnosti, kot sta struktura las in barva oči. Kaj pa ti? Katere lastnosti si deliš s svojimi sorojenci in v čem ste si različni? DNK v praksi Žlahtnitelji rastlin lahko primerjajo DNK številnih sončnic, da najdejo majhne razlike v črkah, povezane z uporabnimi lastnostmi, kot sta odpornost na sušo ali bolezni. Ti DNK-namigi jim pomagajo učinkoviteje izbirati semena, tako da lahko kmetje gojijo rastline, ki se bolje spopadajo s spreminjajočimi se razmerami. Hiter slovarček Nukleotid: ena »črka« DNK (A, C, G ali T). DNK: molekula, ki shranjuje biološka navodila v štiričrkovni kodi (A, C, G, T). Zaporedje DNK: natančen vrstni red črk DNK vzdolž molekule DNK. Genom: celotna DNK organizma (celoten nabor njegovih DNK zaporedij Eesti keel 🇪🇪 (Tõlkinud Mari Hindrikson) DNA Kuidas kasvab ühest väikesest taime seemnest päevalill ja teisest tomat? Igas rakus on peidus pikk juhend, mis teeb iga elusolendi ainulaadseks. Seda juhendit nimetatakse DNA‑ks. DNA koosneb vaid neljast „tähest“, millest igaüks vastab ühele kindlale molekulile ehk nukleotiidile: A (adeniin), C (tsütosiin), G (guaniin) ja T (tümiin). Nukleotiidid on järjestatud pika niidi (ehk järjestusena), kus A, C, G ja T on kirjutatud üksteise järel sadade miljonite või isegi miljardite tähtede kaupa. Nende tähtede järjestus määrab, kuidas elusolend kujuneb, milline ta välja näeb ja kuidas toimib. Kas teadsid, et umbes 94% sinu DNA järjestusest kattub sinu kassiga? Enamik inimesi jagab omavahel peaaegu identset DNA‑d, kuid need väikesed erinevused, mis jäävad, on väga olulised. Just need erinevused muudavadki meid erinevaks õdedest‑vendadest ja vanematest. Põhjus on lihtne: isegi väheste „tähtede“ puhul on võimalik tohutult palju erinevaid kombinatsioone: täpselt nagu sõnad D‑N‑A ja A‑N‑D tähendavad täiesti erinevaid asju. Iga inimese DNA kirjutab unikaalse loo! Need väikesed erinevused tekitavad tedretähnid sinu näkku, mõjutavad, kas su juuksed on lokkis või sirged ja määravad sinu pikkuse. Kuna perekonnaliikmed jagavad suuremat osa DNA‑st, sarnaneb sinu naeratus ema või isa omaga ja sinu kõnnak võib meenutada mõne sugulase oma. Lugu DNA-st Väikeses linnas elavad kaks venda, kelle välimus on üllatavalt erinev. Ühel vendadest on pruunid silmad ja sirged tumedad juuksed, teisel aga sinised silmad ja heledad lokkis juuksed. Nende bioloogiaõpetaja selgitab, et kuigi vendadena on suurem osa nende DNA‑st väga sarnane, piisab nende genoomis olevatest väikestest erinevustest DNA „tähtede“ ehk nukleotiidide järjestuses, et mõjutada selliseid tunnuseid nagu juuste struktuur või silmade värvus. Milliseid tunnuseid jagad sina oma õdede‑vendadega ja mille poolest olete erinevad? DNA tegevuses Taimede aretajad saavad võrrelda paljude päevalillede DNA‑d, et leida väikeseid erinevusi DNA „tähtedes“, mis on seotud kasulike omadustega – näiteks suurem põua- või haiguskindlus. Need DNA‑vihjed aitavad neil seemneid palju täpsemalt valida, nii et põllumehed saavad kasvatada taimi, mis tulevad paremini toime muutuvate keskkonnatingimustega. Kiirsõnastik Nukleotiid — üks DNA neljast “tähest“ (A, C, G või T). DNA — pikk ahela-kujuline molekul, mis talletab organismi bioloogilised juhised neljatähelise (A, C, G, T) koodina. DNA järjestus — DNA „tähtede“ täpne järjestus kogu DNA-molekuli ulatuses. Genoom — organismi DNA järjestuste kogum (tema täielik geneetiliste juhiste komplekt). Bosanski 🇧🇦 (Prevela Lada Lukic Bilela) DNK Sakupite sjeme i pitate se kako iz njega nastane suncokret, a ne paradajz. U svakoj ćeliji sakriven je dugi priručnik s uputstvima koji svako živo biće čini jedinstvenim, a zove se DNK. Taj priručnik se sastoji od samo četiri slova: A (adenin), C (citozin), G (gvanin) i T (timin), koja su zapisana jedno za drugim stotinama, a ponekad i milijardama puta. Redoslijed tih slova otkriva kako je živo biće građeno i kako funkcioniše. Većina vaše DNK ista je kao i kod drugih ljudi (jeste li znali da se oko 94 % vaše DNK podudara s DNK vaše mačke?). Ipak, sitne razlike u redoslijedu slova su ono što nas čini različitima od naše braće i sestara ili roditelja. Te razlike mogu učiniti da imate pjegice, odrediti hoće li vam kosa biti kovrdžava ili ravna, ili uticati na vašu visinu. Članovi iste porodice dijele više DNK, zbog čega vaš osmijeh podsjeća na majčin, a vaš hod na očev ili rođakov. DNK – jedna lokalna priča U jednom malom gradu dva brata vole fudbal, ali izgledaju iznenađujuće različito. Jedan je viši s ravnom tamnom kosom, drugi je niži s kovrdžavom svijetlom kosom. Njihova baka objašnjava da dijele većinu svoje DNK, ali da postoje sitne razlike u redoslijedu slova u DNK molekuli koje oblikuju njihov izgled, pa čak i kako njihova tijela reaguju na vježbanje. Kada njihov razred upoređuje DNK različitih vrsta tokom školskog projekta, zadivljeni su kad saznaju koliko svoje DNK dijele sa komšijinim psom i mačkom koji posjećuju njihovu baštu. DNK u praksi Uzgajivači biljaka mogu uporediti DNK mnogih suncokreta kako bi pronašli male genetičke razlike povezane s korisnim osobinama, kao što su otpornost na sušu ili otpornost na bolesti. Ovi DNK tragovi im pomažu da efikasnije odaberu sjeme, kako bi poljoprivrednici mogli uzgajati usjeve koji se bolje prilagođavaju promjenjivim uslovima. Kratki rječnik Nukleotid: jedno ‘slovo’ DNK (A, C, G, ili T). DNK: molekula koja čuva biološku informaciju u kodu sačinjenog od četiri slova (A, C, G, T). DNK sekvenca: the specific order of DNA letters along the DNA molecule. Genom: ukupna DNK jednog organizma (kompletan set njegovih DNA uputstava). Hrvatski 🇭🇷 (Prevela Lada Lukic Bilela) DNK Sakupite sjeme i pitate se kako iz njega nastaje suncokret, a ne rajčica. U svakoj stanici skriven je dugi priručnik s uputama koji svako živo biće čini jedinstvenim i naziva se DNA. Taj se priručnik sastoji od samo četiri slova: A (adenin), C (citozin), G (guanin) i T (timin), zapisanih jedno za drugim stotinama, a katkad i milijardama puta. Redoslijed tih slova otkriva kako je živo biće građeno i kako funkcionira. Većina vaše DNA ista je kao i DNA drugih ljudi (biste li bili iznenađeni kad biste saznali da 94 % DNA dijelite sa svojom mačkom?). No sitne razlike u redoslijedu slova ono su što nas razlikuje od naše braće i sestara te roditelja. Te razlike mogu uzrokovati pojavu pjegica, odrediti hoće li vam kosa biti kovrčava ili ravna te utjecati na vašu visinu. Članovi iste obitelji dijele više DNA, stoga vaš osmijeh može podsjećati na majčin, a vaš hod na očev ili rođakov. DNK, jedna lokalna priča U jednom malom gradu dva brata vole nogomet, ali izgledaju iznenađujuće različito. Jedan je viši i ima ravnu tamnu kosu, dok je drugi niži i ima kovrčavu svijetlu kosu. Njihova baka objašnjava da iako dijele većinu svoje DNA, postoje sitne razlike u redoslijedu slova koje oblikuju njihov izgled te način na koji njihova tijela reagiraju na tjelesnu aktivnost. Kada njihov razred tijekom školskog projekta uspoređuje DNA različitih vrsta, svi su zadivljeni kad otkriju koliko DNA dijele sa susjedovim psom i mačkom koji posjećuju njihov vrt. DNK u praksi Uzgajivači biljaka mogu usporediti DNA brojnih suncokreta kako bi pronašli male genetske razlike povezane s korisnim osobinama, poput otpornosti na sušu ili otpornosti na bolesti. Ti DNA tragovi pomažu im u učinkovitijem odabiru sjemena, čime se poljoprivrednicima omogućuje uzgoj usjeva koji se bolje nose s promjenjivim uvjetima. Mali pojmovnik Nukleotid: jedno ‘slovo’ DNA (A, C, G, ili T). DNA: molekula koja pohranjuje biološke upute u četvoroznamenkastom kodu (A, C, G, T). DNA slijed: jedinstveni redoslijed slova DNA duž jedne molekule DNA. Genom: cjelovita DNA jednog organizma (cjelovit skup njegovih DNA uputa). српски 🇷🇸 (превео Dragan Gacic) ДНК Сакупите семе и питате се како из њега израсте сунцокрет, а не парадајз. У свакој ћелији скривено је дугачко упутство које се зове ДНК и које свако живо биће чини јединственим. Ово упутство се састоји од само четири слова: А (аденин), Ц/C (цитозин), Г/G (гуанин) и Т (тимин), која се пишу једно за другим стотинама милиона, па чак и милијардама пута. Редослед ових слова може да покаже како је живо биће изграђено и како функционише. Већина ваше ДНК је иста као код других људи (да ли сте знали да се 94% ваше ДНК поклапа са ДНК ваше кyћне мачке?!). Али ситне разлике у редоследу слова су оно што нас разликује од наше браће и сестара или од мајке. Те разлике могу учинити да имате пеге, одредити да ли вам је коса коврџава или равна, или утицати на вашу висину. Чланови породице деле више ДНК, због чега ваш осмех може да подсећа на осмех ваших родитеља, а ваш ход на ход неког рођака. ДНК, локална прича У једном малом граду два брата воле фудбал, али изгледају изненађујуће различито. Један је виши и има равну тамну косу, а други је нижи и има коврџаву светлу косу. Њихов наставник биологије објашњава да, иако браћа и сестре деле већину своје ДНК, мале разлике у редоследу слова у њиховом геному могу да утичу на особине као што су текстура косе и боја очију. А ти, које особине делиш са својом браћом или сестрама, а по чему се разликујете? ДНК у пракси Узгајивачи биљака могу да упоређују ДНК многих сунцокрета како би пронашли мале разлике у “словима” које су повезане са корисним особинама, као што су отпорност на сушу или отпорност на болести. Ти ДНК трагови им помажу да ефикасније бирају семе, тако да пољопривредници могу да гаје усеве који се боље прилагођавају променљивим условима. Кратки појмовник Нуклеотид: једно “слово” ДНК (А, Ц/C, Г/G или Т). ДНК: дугачак молекул у облику ланца који чува биолошка упутства у облику кода од четири слова (A, Ц/C, Г/G, T). ДНК секвенца: тачан редослед слова ДНК дуж целе дужине једног молекула ДНК. Геном: све ДНК секвенце у једном организму (потпун склоп његове ДНК). Português 🇵🇹 (Tradução de Isabel Maria Amorim do Rosário) ADN Pensa numa semente e questiona como é que ela se transforma num girassol, em vez de num tomate. O que torna cada ser vivo único é um longo manual de instruções chamado ADN que se encontra no interior de todas as suas células. Este manual é composto por apenas quatro letras, cada uma correspondendo a um tipo diferente de molécula (também chamada de nucleótido): A (adenina), C (citosina), G (guanina) e T (timina). Estas letras aparecem umas após as outras centenas, senão milhares de milhões de vezes. A ordem destas letras determina a forma como um ser vivo é construído e funciona. Achas surpreendente que 94% da tua sequência de ADN corresponde à do teu gato? A maioria das pessoas partilha uma sequência de ADN quase idêntica, mas as pequenas diferenças existentes são muito importantes e são o que nos torna diferentes dos nossos pais. Isto porque existem muitíssimas combinações diferentes que podem ser feitas, mesmo com um pequeno número de letras. É assim que o ADN de cada pessoa escreve uma história única de letras. E são estas diferenças que fazem, por exemplo, com que tenhas sardas, e que determinam a forma como o teu cabelo se encaracola (ou não) ou a tua altura. Os membros da família partilham sequências mais semelhantes entre si do que com outras pessoas quaisquer, e é por isso que o teu sorriso se assemelha ao de um dos teus pais e o teu andar é parecido com o de um teu primo. ADN, uma história local Numa pequena cidade existem dois irmãos que não são nada parecidos. Um tem cabelo escuro liso e olhos castanhos e o outro tem cabelo claro encaracolado e olhos azuis. O professor de biologia explica o porquê destas diferenças, que embora os irmãos partilhem a maior parte do seu ADN, as pequenas diferenças na ordem das letras do ADN nos seus genomas determinam características como a textura do cabelo e a cor dos olhos. E tu, que características partilhas com os teus irmãos e em que é que vocês diferem? ADN em ação Os produtores de plantas podem comparar o ADN de muitos girassóis para identificar pequenas diferenças nas «letras» associadas a características úteis, como a tolerância à seca ou a resistência a doenças. Essas pistas do ADN ajudam-nos a selecionar sementes de forma mais eficiente, para que os agricultores possam cultivar plantas que se adaptem melhor a alterações das condições ambientais. Glossário rápido Nucleótido: uma «letra» do ADN (A, C, G ou T). ADN: a molécula que armazena instruções biológicas num código de quatro letras (A, C, G, T). Sequência de ADN: a ordem específica das letras do ADN ao longo da molécula de ADN Genoma: todo o ADN de um organismo (o conjunto completo das suas instruções de ADN). Türkçe 🇹🇷 (çeviren Emre Kekin) DNA Bir tohum alıp düşündüğünüzü hayal edin: Bu tohum nasıl oluyor da bir ayçiçeğine dönüşüyor da bir domatese değil? Her canlı hücrenin içinde, o canlıyı benzersiz kılan şey uzun bir talimat kitabıdır: DNA. Bu talimat kitabı yalnızca dört “harften” oluşur. Her harf farklı bir molekül tipini (nükleotid) temsil eder: A (adenin), C (sitozin), G (guanin) ve T (timin). Bu harfler yüzlerce, hatta milyarlarca kez art arda dizilerek yazılır. Harflerin diziliş sırası, bir canlının nasıl inşa edileceğini ve nasıl çalışacağını belirler. DNA dizinizin yaklaşık %94’ünün kedinizinkiyle aynı olduğuna şaşırır mıyım? Çoğu insanın DNA dizisi neredeyse aynıdır; ancak aradaki küçük farklılıklar son derece önemlidir. İşte bu küçük farklar bizi anne ve babamızdan farklı kılar. Dört harften oluşan bu sistem, çok küçük değişikliklerle bile sayısız kombinasyon oluşturabilir. Her bireyin DNA’sı, harflerden yazılmış kendine özgü bir hikâyedir. Çillerinizin olup olmaması, saçınızın kıvırcık ya da düz olması ya da boyunuz gibi özellikler bu küçük genetik farklılıklardan etkilenir. Aile bireyleri, rastgele seçilmiş iki kişiye göre daha benzer DNA dizilerine sahiptir. Bu nedenle gülüşünüz bir ebeveyninize, yürüyüşünüz bir kuzeninize benzeyebilir. DNA, yerel bir hikaye Küçük bir kasabada yaşayan iki kardeş düşünün. Biri koyu renk, düz saçlı ve kahverengi gözlü; diğeri açık renk, kıvırcık saçlı ve mavi gözlü. Biyoloji öğretmenleri, kardeşlerin DNA’larının büyük ölçüde benzer olduğunu, ancak DNA harflerinin genom boyunca dizilişindeki küçük farklılıkların saç yapısı ve göz rengi gibi özellikleri etkileyebildiğini açıklar. Peki siz? Kardeşlerinizle hangi özellikleri paylaşıyorsunuz, hangileri farklı? DNA iş başında Bitki ıslahçıları, çok sayıda ayçiçeğinin DNA’sını karşılaştırarak, kuraklığa dayanıklılık ya da hastalıklara direnç gibi yararlı özelliklerle bağlantılı küçük harf farklılıklarını belirleyebilir. Bu genetik ipuçları sayesinde uygun tohumlar daha hızlı ve doğru seçilir. Böylece çiftçiler, değişen iklim koşullarına daha iyi uyum sağlayabilen ürünler yetiştirebilir. Hızlı sözlük Nükleotid: DNA’nın bir “harfi” (A, C, G veya T). DNA: Biyolojik talimatları dört harfli bir kod (A, C, G, T) halinde depolayan molekül. DNA dizisi: DNA molekülü boyunca harflerin belirli sırası. Genom: Bir canlının sahip olduğu tüm DNA’nın bütünü (tüm genetik talimat seti). МАКЕДОНСКИ 🇲🇰 ДНК Можеби понекогаш се чудите како едно семче израснува во сончоглед, а не во домат. Тоа е скриено е во секоја клетка, и секое живо суштество го прави уникатно – долг прирачник со упатства наречен ДНК. Овој прирачник е составен од само четири букви, и секоја од нив одговара на различен тип молекула (исто така наречена нуклеотид): A (аденин), Ц/C (цитозин), Г/G (гванин) и T (тимин). Тие се напишани една по друга стотици, ако не и милијарди пати. Редоследот на овие букви одредува како е изградено и како функционира секое живо суштество. Дали би се изненадиле кога ќе дознаете дека 94% од вашата секвенца на ДНК се совпаѓа со онаа на вашата мачка? Кај нас, луѓето, секвенцата на ДНК е речиси идентична, но преостанатите мали разлики се важни и го претставуваат она што нè разликува од нашите родители. Тоа е така, затоа што дури и со само четири букви, можат да се направат исклучително голем број комбинации. На тој начин ДНК кај секој од нас пишува единствена приказна од букви. И токму овие мали разлики се причината од која зависи дали ќе имате пеги, како ќе се витка косата или, или пак влијаат на висината. Членовите на семејството делат повеќе слични низи во споредба со случајнио избрани личности, поради што насмевката ви наликува на насмевката на родителот, а одењето наликува на одот на близок братучед. ДНК, една локална приказна Во едно мало гратче, двајца браќа изгледаат изненадувачки различно. Едниот има права темна коса и кафеави очи, а другиот има виткана светла коса и сини очи. Наставничката по биологија им објаснува дека иако браќата и сестрите делат поголем дел од нивната ДНК, малите разлики во редоследот на буквите на ДНК низ нивните геноми можат да помогнат во обликувањето на особините како што се текстурата на косата и бојата на очите. Кои особини, вие ги делите со вашите браќа и сестри, и што е различно? ДНК во акција Одгледувачите на растенија можат да ја споредат ДНК од многу сончогледи за да ги пронајдат малите разлики во редоследот на буквите поврзани со корисни особини, како што се толеранцијата на суша или отпорноста на болести. Овие показатели од ДНК им помагаат на земјоделците поефикасно да изберат семиња, така што тие можат да одгледуваат култури што подобро се справуваат со променливите услови. Краток речник Нуклеотид: една „буква“ од ДНК (A, Ц/C, Г/G или T). ДНК: молекула со долг синџир во која се складирани биолошки инструкции во делови од код, составен од четири букви (A, Ц/C, Г/G или T). ДНК секвенца: специфичниот редослед на буквите од ДНК по целата должина на молекулата на ДНК. Norsk🇳🇴 (Oversatt av Svein Ole-Mikalsen) DNA Hvorfor blir et frø fra en solsikke til en ny solsikke når frøet spirer? Hvorfor blir det ikke til en tomatplante? Et frø kan se ut som et annet frø, men når de spirer, blir de til en helt annen plante. Det skyldes arvematerialet i frøet. Arvematerialet er en lang bruksanvisning (eller oppskrift) gjemt inne i alle levende organismer, inne i hver enkelt celle i organismen. Denne bruksanvisningen kalles ofte DNA, og det er et langt molekyl. Selv om bruksanvisningen er lang, er det bare brukt fire bokstaver, eller byggesteiner, for å sette bruksanvisningen sammen. Disse fire byggesteinene (også kalt et nukleotid) kalles A (adenin), C (cytosin), G (guanin) og T (tymin). Bokstavene er skrevet etter hverandre mange, mange ganger, faktisk milliarder av ganger. Rekkefølgen på disse bokstavene styrer hvordan et levende vesen er konstruert og fungerer. Blir du overrasket av å høre at 94 % av DNA-sekvensen din samsvarer med kattens DNA-sekvens? De fleste deler en nesten identisk DNA-sekvens, men de små forskjellene er viktige og er det som gjør oss forskjellige fra foreldrene våre og fra alle andre mennesker. Dette er fordi det finnes så mange mulige kombinasjoner som kan lages, selv med et lite antall bokstaver. Det er slik at alles DNA skriver en unik historie om bokstaver. Og det er disse forskjellene som gjør at du får fregner, bestemmer hvordan håret ditt krøller seg (eller ikke) eller påvirker høyden din. Familiemedlemmer har mer lik sekvenser enn tilfeldige personer, og det er derfor at smilet ditt ligner på et av dine foreldre og ganglaget ditt ligner på din onkels ganglag. DNA, en lokal historie To brødre kan se overraskende forskjellige ut. Den ene har rett, mørkt hår og brune øyne, den andre har krøllete, lyst hår og blå øyne. Biologilæreren deres forklarer at selv det meste av DNA-et i to søsken er identisk, er det tilstrekkelig mange forskjeller i rekkefølgen av DNA-bokstaver som bidrar til å forme egenskaper som glatt eller krøllet hår og øyenfarge. Og du, hvilke egenskaper deler du med dine søsken, og hva er annerledes? DNA i praktisk bruk Planteforedlere kan sammenligne DNA fra mange solsikker for å finne små bokstavforskjeller knyttet til nyttige egenskaper, som tørketoleranse eller sykdomsresistens. Disse DNA-ledetrådene hjelper dem med å velge frø mer effektivt, slik at bønder kan dyrke avlinger som takler skiftende forhold bedre. En liten ordliste Nukleotid: En bokstav (eller byggestein) i DNA (A, C, G, T) DNA: Det langkjedede molekylet hvor de biologiske instruksjoner er lagret i form av en fire-bokstavs kode (A, C, G, T) DNA sekvens: Den spesifikke rekkefølgen av DNA-bokstaver gjennom hele det lange DNA-molekylet. Genom: Alle DNA-instruksjoner i en organisme (med andre ord, den komplette mengden av organismens DNA og alle instruksjoner som ligger i rekkefølgen av bokstaver i DNA). Bulgarian 🇧🇬 (преведено от Мария Иванова Stefaniya Kamenova ДНК Може би понякога се чудите как едно семенце се превръща в слънчоглед, вместо в домат? Скрит във всяка клетка е това, което прави всеки организъм уникален - дълъг наръчник с инструкции, наречен ДНК. Този наръчник се състои само от четири букви, всяка от които съответства на различен тип молекула (наричана още нуклеотид): A (аденин), C (цитозин), G (гуанин) и T (тимин). Те са написани една след друга стотици, ако не и милиарди пъти. Редът на тези букви определя как е устроен и функционира всеки един организъм. Бихте ли се изненадали да научите, че 94% от вашето ДНК съвпада с това на вашия котарак? При нас хората, ДНК е почти идентична, но малкото съществуващи разлики са важни и са това, което ни прави различни от нашите родители например. Това е така, защото дори само с четири букви е възможно да се направят изключително голям брой комбинации. По този начин, ДНК-то на всеки от нас разказва уникална история. И именно малките разлики в ДНК са причината да сте високи (или не), или пък да имате лунички и къдрава коса. Членовете на едно семейство споделят по-голяма част от своята ДНК в сравнение със случайни хора, поради което усмивката ви наподобява тази на родител, а походката ви - тази на близък братовчед. ДНК: една местна история В малко градче двама братя изглеждат изненадващо различно. Единият е с права тъмна коса и кафяви очи, другият с къдрава светла коса и сини очи. Техният учител по биология обяснява, че макар братята и сестрите споделят по-голямата част от своето ДНК, малките разлики в подредбата на буквите на ДНК в техните геноми могат да влияят върху характеристики като текстурата на косата и цвета на очите. А ти, кои черти споделяш с братята и сестрите си, и кои черти са различни? ДНК в действие Селекционерите на растения могат да сравняват ДНК от много слънчогледи, за да открият малки разлики в ДНК буквите, свързани с полезни характеристики, като устойчивост на суша или болести. Тези ДНК улики им помагат да подбират семена по-ефективно, така че фермерите да могат да отглеждат култури, които се справят по-добре с променящите се условия в околната среда и климата. Кратък речник Нуклеотид: една „буква“ на ДНК (A, C, G или T). ДНК: молекулата, която съхранява биологичната информация чрез четирибуквен код (A, C, G, T). ДНК последователност: конкретният ред на буквите по протежение на ДНК молекулата. Геном: цялата ДНК на организма (пълният набор от неговите ДНК инструкции). 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, Svein-Ole Mikalsen, Dragan Gačić, Elena Buzan.

Join us for this month’s ERGA Plenary meeting! On Monday, May 18, at 15:00 CEST, we will welcome Prof. Shigehiro Kuraku, leader of Squalomix. Prof. Kuraku specializes in molecular evolution, genomics, and developmental biology. After independent roles at the University of Konstanz and RIKEN, he joined the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) in 2021. His work combines DNA sequence analysis and benchwork to investigate the mechanisms of vertebrate evolution. Abstract Cartilaginous fishes (sharks, rays, chimaeras) charted an evolutionary trajectory distinct from other lineages. Not simply generalized as "fish," these species require dedicated research frameworks to decode their lives. Since 2020, the consortium Squalomix has met this need sustainably, which will be briefly introduced in this oppotunity. Partnering with public aquariums, marine stations, and allied consortia, we study diverse species —from migratory pelagic sharks to our core focus, Japanese coastal biodiversity. We integrate molecular data with rigorous cellular-level analysis expertise. To navigate the highly variable genome sizes across cartilaginous fishes, we anchor our sequencing output in empirical cytology, enabling karyotyping and nuclear DNA content measurement. This foundation yields tangible insights, including unveiling the evolutionary organization of their sex chromosomes, now recognized as the oldest among vertebrates. Furthermore, we move beyond sequencing and computation. Informatically derived evolutionary hypotheses are reconstructively verified via experiments. Our in vitro systems embody this approach, enabling the exploration of unique adaptations, as demonstrated in our research on whale shark deep-sea vision. Our scope spans from contributing to pelagic population monitoring to deeply decoding their unique lifestyles. By uncovering genomic grammar that links information in DNA to cellular traits and an organism's pace of life, we seek to elucidate the fundamental principles driving the vertebrate tree of life. Want to know more? https://squalomix.github.io/

News 🛣️ ERGA Learning paths ERGA is beginning the production of new Learning Paths to help make existing biodiversity genomics training materials easier to find, follow, and apply. Learning Paths provide a structured route through selected resources, helping learners understand where to start, what to focus on, and what to do next. Rather than developing multiple new courses from scratch, this approach will make better use of existing free online materials, including resources already available through the ERGA Knowledge Hub. It will also help increase the visibility of useful materials, reduce repetition across committee activities, support the adoption of standards and recommended practices, and identify genuine gaps where new training content may be needed in the future. The first two Learning Paths will focus on Unix and international permitting, developed respectively with the TKT Committee and the ELSI Committee. ERGA members interested in contributing to the development of these pilot Learning Paths are invited to contact the ERGA Secretariat. 🕵🏽 Survey on accessing biological collections for genomic research The ERGA Sampling & Sample Processing Committee, together with Biodiversity Genomics Europe Plus, invites European biological collections to complete a short survey on how institutions handle external requests for biological material for genomics research. The survey will help quantify request volumes, identify the most frequently requested material types, and document current review practices, including SOPs, evaluation criteria, follow-up expectations, and how research outputs are tracked. Results will be analysed in aggregate and used to develop community guidelines on responsible access and processing of museum and biobank specimens for genomic research, as well as to support a manuscript currently in preparation. Please, share it among your network!!! 👩🏻‍💻 DSI Scientific Network Survey The DSI Scientific Network is gathering input from researchers and practitioners working with digital sequence information to better understand how capacity building and non-monetary benefit sharing can support the use and generation of DSI. They invite researchers to complete a short 10-question survey exploring the most useful forms of support, including training, technology transfer, and scientific partnerships, as well as how non-monetary benefits are shared through research activities. The feedback collected will contribute to a policy brief for the DSI Scientific Network, to be showcased at the next UN Biodiversity SBI meeting in August. Responses are requested by 15 May. The survey is available in English (⬇), French https://forms.gle/13wCfEWLDjafNTyb9, and Spanish https://forms.gle/fiWFF2Xe6Em4zDz26. Join the new ERGA Pangenomes Working Group! We are excited to confirm the new ERGA Pangenomes Working Group, starting on May 25th during the DAC regular meeting (11:00 CEST). 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! 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!! 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 can reference genomes and population genomics support more targeted mosquito control? Watch Maria José Ruiz López discuss a BGE case study on Culex mosquitoes in southern Spain, exploring vectorial capacity, insecticide resistance, and how genomic insights can inform public health strategies. 🌸 What can Cistus crispus tell us about Mediterranean ecosystems after fire? Watch Yohan Pillon present Cistus crispus, a Mediterranean pioneer shrub selected through the ERGA-BGE Community-Driven Genomes effort, and discuss its potential for studying post-fire germination and plant–fungus interactions. Useful links HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE? Click and Submit to ERGANews! Click here to become an ERGA Member Public EVENTS calendar here - add this to your Calendar or iCalendar! 💬 Follow us on social media! BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube

Did you miss this month’s ERGA Plenary meeting ! Maria José Ruiz López presented her work on analysing the genomic basis of vectorial capacity and insecticide resistance in Culex  species using reference genomes and population genomics. Abstract Understanding the genomic basis of vectorial capacity and insecticide resistance is essential for improving mosquito-borne disease control. This case study carried out as part of the BGE project focused on Culex species in a West Nile virus hotspot in southern Spain. To carry out the study we combined the analyses of newly generated reference genomes for Culex perexiguus, Culex laticinctus, Culex theileri , and Culex modestus with population genomics of two species, Culex perexiguus and Culex pipiens . High-quality reference genomes resolved taxonomic relationships within Culex. Despite largely conserved chromosomal architecture across species, substantial interspecific variation was observed in chemosensory gene families (OBPs, ORs, GRs). Whole-genome resequencing revealed contrasting population patterns between the two species studied. While Culex pipiens shows clear genetic structure associated with ecotypes ( pipiens and molestus ), habitat and Wolbachia infection, Culex perexiguus appears largely panmictic. Structural variants, including chromosomal inversions enriched for chemosensory and detoxification genes, likely contribute to adaptation and vectorial traits. Importantly, we detected several mutations associated to insecticide resistance, including organophosphates and pyrethroids. In some cases, these mutations were more frequent in the Cx. pipiens molestus ecotype and in urban areas. These results were shared with relevant stakeholders demonstrating how genomics can inform targeted, evidence-based vector control strategies within a One Health framework. Speaker María José Ruiz López is a researcher at the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) and is affiliated with the CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP). Her research integrates genomics, ecology, and epidemiology within a One Health framework to understand the dynamics of infectious diseases and their relationship with environmental change. Here recent research focuses on vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, as well as on population genomics of mosquitoes to investigate vector ecology, evolution, and transmission patterns. She also works on the development of genomic tools for epidemiological surveillance and public health. 🔔 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!

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