What kind of information can we gain from sequencing an organism’s genome? / Why is it useful to sequence whole genomes?
The enormous amount of information contained in a single genome leads to resources that can be applied in many ways. Among the hundreds of species sequenced by BGE there are: Species of economic interest, such as commercially important fish species. Genomic information about their populations can help us make informed decisions on how to best […]
What does it mean to “sequence” a high-quality reference genome?
Sequencing a genome means determining the order – or sequence – of the molecules (nucleotides) that compose an organism’s entire genetic material. By doing this we are effectively translating the information contained in the long DNA molecules into a sequence of letters that is readable by humans and algorithms, so that we can analyse this […]
What is a genome?
The genome is the complete set of an organism’s genetic material – usually DNA – stored inside its cells. The genome serves as a “blueprint” for the construction and organisation of the organism’s body and also contains the instructions for it to function. One of the most important features of the genetic material is that […]
Can we use the same barcode for all species on Earth?
No. Different barcodes work best for different biological kingdoms. For animals, we use a section of the genome called CO1. For fungi, it is a region called ITS. For plants, more than one region may be needed in combination (commonly rbcL, matK and ITS2).
How is DNA barcoding useful?
DNA barcoding enables us to identify and monitor species, and assemblages of species. This can be used for discovering species new to science, telling apart species that look the same to the naked eye, detecting the presence of invasive non-native species in the environment, monitoring the progress of conservation programmes to restore biodiversity, understanding what […]
What is a barcode reference library?
A DNA barcode reference library is a collection of verified barcodes for a large number of species in a group (e.g., European plants or freshwater organisms). It is a vital tool against which new barcode sequences from unidentified organisms can be compared, to find out what they are.
When was DNA barcoding invented?
The principle of DNA barcoding was first tested by Paul Hebert and colleagues at the university of Guelph in 2003. Over the last two decades it has advanced rapidly and is now widely used for many applications.