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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!

Executive Board Council of Countries Committees Our Partners Pilot Project Former Contributors top OUR COMMUNITY ERGA is an bottom-up initiative based on people, consisting of hundreds of scientists across the entire European continent and beyond. Research institutions, infrastructure facilities as well as partner genome projects will play an important role within ERGA. Finally, ERGA will have a focus on societal needs particularly related to Biodiversity conservation. For that purpose, ERGA will work engaging governmental and non-governmental entities and will closely involve citizens in different actions. Executive Board Executive Board executive-board@erga-biodiversity.eu Robert Waterhouse Chair Ann Mc Cartney Vice Chair Olga Vinnere Pettersson Vice Chair Tyler Alioto Scientific Officer Kay Lucek Partnership Officer Stefaniya Kamenova Dissemination Officer Lada Lukić Bilela Social Integration Officer Camila Mazzoni Funding Opportunities Officer Jaakko Pohjoismäki Genomic Outreach Officer List of Former Executive Board Members > Council of Country Representatives Contact the national representatives for more information on the ERGA community in your country! Andorra Andorra@erga-biodiversity.eu Manel Niell List of Former Council Members > Council of Countries Committees SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing samples@erga-biodiversity.eu More > DAC - Data Analysis Committee analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Media & Communications media@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Social Justice Committee socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu More > SAC - Sequencing and Assembly Committee assembly@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ITIC - IT & Infrastructure Committee itinfra@erga-biodiversity.eu More > CS - Citizen Science citizenscience@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Annotation Committee annotation@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ELSI - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues elsi@erga-biodiversity.eu More > TKT - Training and Knowledge Transfer training@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Committees Our Partners Our Partners ERGA is the pan-European partner of the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) Affiliated Initiatives Associated Partners Pilot Project Pilot Project Committee Coordinators pilot@erga-biodiversity.eu Giulio Formenti Alice Mouton Ann Mc Cartney Learn more about the Pilot Project Former Contributors SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing Committee Filter by Type Astrid Böhne (Former Committee Chair) Former Contributors

Committees SSP - Sampling & Sample Processing samples@erga-biodiversity.eu More > DAC - Data Analysis Committee analysis@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Media & Communications media@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Social Justice Committee socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu More > SAC - Sequencing and Assembly Committee assembly@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ITIC - IT & Infrastructure Committee itinfra@erga-biodiversity.eu More > CS - Citizen Science citizenscience@erga-biodiversity.eu More > Annotation Committee annotation@erga-biodiversity.eu More > ELSI - Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues elsi@erga-biodiversity.eu More > TKT - Training and Knowledge Transfer training@erga-biodiversity.eu More >

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