Our scientists have had many breakthroughs assembling challenging plant genomes. As part of our series exploring this, we look at plants’ ability to generate multiple mitochondrial genomes.
With adult Pine Hoverflies seen in Scotland for the first time in many years, top-quality genome sequences are now helping make a permanent success of saving arguably Britain’s most endangered insect.
One of DToL’s most conservation-conscious collaborations is with the Borders Forest Trust, which manages a landscape-scale restoration. This has yielded many arthropods, bryophytes and other species.
As DToL generates genomes for thousands of species, researchers are taking the opportunity to study microbial ‘cobionts’ living alongside and within them, such as Wolbachia bacteria living in insects.
Alongside an impressive milestone for genomes released to public databases, Darwin Tree of Life has hit the airwaves and science festivals in 2022, as epic species collection efforts continue.
The sight of mistletoe hanging in trees this winter will be especially poignant for DToL scientists who spent many months finding innovative ways to generate this giant genome.
This free and open event brings together international researchers to share breakthroughs, challenges and advances in how we apply genomics to understanding, utilising and protecting life on Earth.
The Lizard in Cornwall is home to some of Britain’s rarest plants. But where do they grow? Darwin Tree of Life got in touch with the local experts.
EMBL-EBI's researchers highlight their contributions to the Darwin Tree of Life project and how new genome annotations help to further biodiversity research.
What does it mean to sequence the genomes of all life in Britain and Ireland? Perhaps breaking it down by numbers can help explain!
Protists have been excruciatingly difficult to study but, thanks to single-cell genomics and bioinformatics underway at the Earlham Institute, we’re finally decoding their abundant biodiversity.
DToL scientists discuss plans to sequence the DNA of every plant species in Britain and Ireland, the diversity of plant genomes and the importance of plant science in the face of global challenges.
Having transported many litres of pondwater to the lab, here's how our scientists find and isolate the single-celled organisms we want from all the other lifeforms and debris in their water samples.
After pandemic setbacks in 2020, this year saw thousands of samples collected, over 200 genomes assembled, and DToL's first Genome Notes published. We’re ready for 2022!
Scientists hadn’t surveyed the microscopic creatures in this cut-off Cumbrian pond for a decade. DToL plunged in to sample its genomic riches.
Guided by intrepid snail experts, the DToL team at the Marine Biological Association ventured into Pembrokeshire’s sea caves, collecting - and even naming - several tiny marine species.
The second annual Biodiversity Genomics meeting (Sep 27-Oct 1) will connect scientists from the tundra to the tropics, all focused on unlocking the genomic secrets of life on Earth
CCAP, based near Oban, is helping DToL collect and isolate different strains of algae and protozoa. But most of team's time is taken up maintaining the 3000-plus strains kept in their public collection
We’re excited to announce that the Tree of Life Gateway has now been launched on Wellcome Open Research. Jonathan Threlfall and Mark Blaxter wrote an article on the Wellcome Open Research blog to mark the occasion.
Despite restrictions, 2020 has been a busy year for the Darwin Tree of Life Project. We take a look at some of this year’s achievements and highlights.
Fungi are some of the least known and mysterious organisms on Earth.
Biodiversity is at the core of the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project, and today (May 22nd) marks the Convention on Biological Diversity’s International Day of Biodiversity.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures mean that all of the institutions that are partners in the Darwin Tree of Life project have closed their physical doors, with staff working from home.
The life of a sample at the Tree of Life labs at the Wellcome Sanger Institute starts with an email forewarning us
By January 2020, just a few months into the Darwin Tree of Life project, we had sent specimens of 221 arthropod species to the Sanger Institute.
