SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dovetail Genomics, the world-leader in high-quality de novo genome assembly, and Revive & Restore, the leading wildlife conservation organization promoting the incorporation of biotechnologies into standard conservation practice, announced today the second project in the “A Genome for…” (AG4) program, sequencing a female wolverine nicknamed Laura. The new effort, “A Genome for Laura,” will be crowdfunded by donations made by Dovetail on behalf of its service project customers. The genome assembly will become part of Revive & Restore’s Wild Genomes collection, which will be open-source, made freely available to the research and conservation community for immediate and future applications.
The first AG4 project, "A Genome for Basuki,” is now fully funded, and will provide the research community with a high-quality genome assembly for the endangered Banggai Cardinalfish of Indonesia, which went from discovery to near extinction in a matter of a few years due to high demand from the aquarium trade.
“We are excited to be embarking on another AG4 project,” said Todd Dickinson, CEO of Dovetail Genomics. “A high-quality genome assembly is a critical tool for species conservation. Now that “A Genome for Basuki” funding has been completed, we are excited to get started on the wolverine genome.”
Despite undergoing substantial decline, the North American wolverine has thus far failed to be listed by the Endangered Species Act twice due to a lack of information, and there are currently no genomic resources for wolverines in the United States and Canada. Drs. Ellie Armstrong and Joanna Kelley, Washington State University (Pullman), have initiated a project in collaboration with academic and agency partners to build non-invasive monitoring tools for several species with range overlap in the Pacific Northwest, including the wolverine.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build a genome for the wolverine with Dovetail and Revive & Restore,” said Dr. Armstrong. “Wolverines are very elusive and have been declining in the United States over the last several decades, but a lack of information has limited protective measures. This genome will help us develop DNA-based technologies that can aid in conservation and also provide basic information about wolverine population structure and biology."
Bridget Baumgartner, Revive & Restore’s Catalyst Science Fund program manager, said, “Legal protections of the wolverine have been held up by a lack of data. A reference genome will enable a whole new world of monitoring technologies that can determine if wolverines need to be protected and how best to help them recover. Revive & Restore is thrilled to support genomic insight for this important and unusual species.”
Additional information about “A Genome for Laura” will be shared at the upcoming Dovetail Conservation Genomics Summit on October 27, 2021, which will bring together genome biologists and top researchers in the field of conservation biology to address how human pressures resulting in habitat loss and climate change are causing species extinctions at an alarming rate, with a focus on the ways genomics is informing how leading conservation scientists are managing endangered populations and reducing species extinction. Full event details can be found here: https://dovetailgenomics.com/cgs2021/.
About Dovetail Genomics
Dovetail Genomics LLC is transforming genomics by making long-range information readily accessible to all. The company enables researchers and clinicians to solve complex problems involving de novo assembly, structural variation, microbiome analysis, cancer research, phasing analysis and more by providing them a more comprehensive view of the genome. With 68 pending applications and 14 issued patents, its proprietary in vitro proximity ligation approach and assembly algorithms simplify genomic discovery by integrating the highest quality long-range genomic information with next-gen sequencing output. Dovetail Genomics is based in Scotts Valley, California. For more information on Dovetail, its technology, and service offerings, visit https://dovetailgenomics.com/omni-c/. Follow Dovetail on Twitter @DTGenomics.
About Revive & Restore
Revive & Restore is the leading wildlife conservation organization promoting the incorporation of biotechnologies into standard conservation practice. The Sausalito, California non-profit was formed in 2012 with the idea that 21st century biotechnology can and should be used to enhance genetic diversity, build disease resistance, facilitate adaptation and more. Its mission is to enhance biodiversity through the genetic rescue of endangered and extinct species.
Wild Genomes is part of Revive & Restore’s Catalyst Science Fund, which supports proof-of-concept science to advance the development of new biotechnology tools for conservation. Launched in 2018, the Catalyst Science Fund is designed to hasten impactful innovations in conservation. A key barrier to the adoption of genomic solutions by the conservation community has been the lack of success stories. To that end, the Catalyst Science Fund supports early-stage, transformative bio-science research, and proof-of-concept projects.
For more information visit https://www.reviverestore.org/wild-genomes and follow Revive & Restore on Twitter @Revive_Restore
