What is the Earth BioGenome Project?

Powerful advances in genome sequencing technology, informatics, automation, and artificial intelligence, have propelled humankind to the threshold of a new beginning in understanding, utilizing, and conserving biodiversity. For the first time in history, it is possible to efficiently sequence the genomes of all known species, and to use genomics to help discover the remaining 80 to 90 percent of species that are currently hidden from science.

Escaping bottlenecks: The demographic path to genetic recovery in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Authors: Collin W. Ahrens, Adam D. Miller, Luke W. Silver, Elspeth A. McLennan, Carolyn J. Hogg, and Andrew R. Weeks

Journal: Science (2026)

Expanding African biodiversity genomics to meet global biodiversity goals

African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP)

Authors: Sally Mueni Katee, Marietjie Botes, Ichrak Hayah, Varsha Nagaraj Shetty, Emmanuel Hala Kwon-Ndung, Girish Beedessee, Sadye Paez, Sizwe Innocent Ndlovu, Bouabid Badaoui, Semir Bechir Suheil Gaouar, Sadik Muzemil, Denye Nathaniel Ogeh, Abdoallah Sharaf, Kassahun Tesfaye, Chukwuike Ebuzome, Richard Osei-Amponsah, Chigoziem Ruth Torty, Hawwa Gabier, Samuel C. Eziuzor, Fatu J. Badiane Markey, Julien Alban Nguinkal, Achraf El Allali, Anne W. T. Muigai, Justin E. Ideozu, and ThankGod Echezona Ebenezer

Journal: Nature Reviews Biodiversity (2026)

EBP Life Newsletter:

We’re excited to share our seasonal newsletter highlighting the successes of the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP).
The EBP now includes more than 61 global affiliated projects, all united by the mission to generate annotated, reference-quality genomes for ~1.8 million named eukaryotic species.

Issue 5: Global Voices, Global Genomes
Biodiversity genomics is powered by people as much as by technology. In this issue of EBP Life, we hear from the global voices building the infrastructure, trust, and collaboration behind sequencing life on Earth.

Addressing ERGA Community Feedback: Actions and Plans for Genomes on a Tree (GoaT)

🗓️ Join us: 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.

✅ Find out more here