Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Cancer

International DNA Day launch for Hong Kong’s Moonshot for Biology

April 25, 2024
in Cancer
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0
Release of First Genomes from the Earth Biogenome Project: Hong Kong
67
SHARES
613
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

International DNA Day Launch for Hong Kong’s Moonshot for Biology

Release of First Genomes from the Earth Biogenome Project: Hong Kong

Credit: Earth Biogenome Project: Hong Kong

International DNA Day Launch for Hong Kong’s Moonshot for Biology

The first emblematic species sequenced by the Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium are published to coincide with International DNA Day. Joining a global “moonshot for biology” that aims to sequence, catalogue, and characterize the genomes of all of Earth’s eukaryotic biodiversity.

A significant portion of modern knowledge in biology has emerged through sequencing the genetic code of the world’s biodiversity, which to date has been largely uncharacterized and increasingly threatened by climate change, habitat destruction, species exploitation, and other human-related activities. Hong Kong is a rich but threatened hotspot of biodiversity and home to over 3,000 species of plants, 570 species of birds, 25 species of amphibians, 90 species of reptiles, and 55 species of terrestrial mammals as well as more than 25% of the marine life recorded in China. A collective effort to sequence the genomes of these incredible natural resources of Hong Kong has just been launched, and the first five genomes are released today in GigaByte Journal to coincide with International DNA Day.

Assembling researchers from all eight University Grants Committee-funded universities in Hong Kong*, the Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium formed to tackle this grand challenge. Also known as the Earth BioGenome Project Hong Kong, this effort aligns with and helps fill many of the geographic and species gaps in the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), a global “moonshot for biology” that aims to sequence, catalog, and characterize the genomes of all of Earth’s eukaryotic (non-microbial) biodiversity over a period of 10 years. Bringing together a group of academics with expertise in biodiversity and genomics from the eight public universities were funded by a Collaborative Research Grant in the Hong Kong Grant Council, which obtained a genome sequencer helping to kickstart a network for future biodiversity genomics research in this region.

Until now genomic data from Hong Kong’s species has been lacking, which has hindered the basic understanding of its rich biodiversity, as well as aid the utilization of these genomic resources for a variety of purposes ranging from basic to applied science. Such benefits range from increasing the understanding of how biodiversity is evolving under climate change, conservation of endangered species, provision of ecosystem services, to discovering hidden biological knowledge for new technological inventions and development, as well as a sustainable future.

The project has initially been focusing on the organisms that are of high concern and great interest to Hong Kong, the local public was asked to nominate what species of animal, plant, and fungi they were most interested. After engaging the community to gather these wider views, work is now underway sequencing the first-10 iconic and diverse species. Asking the consortium about this wider outreach they say:

“We have launched the species nomination call to the public. After obtaining the species list, we have discussed and narrowed down to start with those species with significant biological, ecological, cultural, and/or conservation values, and to obtain their genomes.” For the next steps the consortium says: “We have put in a new grant application aiming to sequence genomes of a group of animals together with secondary school students, NGOs, and postgraduate students.”

The Hong Kong based journal GigaByte are publishing these first five of these genomes that have different scientific and conservation values in the Asia-Pacific region. These first papers include the beautiful golden birdwing butterfly (Troides aeacus), important marine species including the common chiton (Liolophura japonic) and long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum), the edible jelly fungus Dacryopinax spathularia, and the milky mangrove (Excoecaria agallocha). Genomes of other emblematic and much-loved local species such as the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) are also underway. These genomes are the cornerstone of the roadmap for Hong Kong’s eukaryotic genome resources and sequencing initiatives, and help it join countries and regions such as the British Isles, California, and Chile in systematically sequencing local species to help understand, manage and protect regional biodiversity. This new series of papers being launched in GigaByte helps provide a home for the ongoing project and papers providing resources to assist the aims of promoting these efforts in Hong Kong.

*The eight UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong include University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, and the Education University of Hong Kong.

 

Additional material:

  • References
     Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the common chiton, Liolophura japonica (Lischke, 1873). GigaByte. 2024.

    • Early preprint version
  • Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium. Genome assembly of the edible jelly fungus Dacryopinax spathularia (Dacrymycetaceae). GigaByte. 2024.
    • Early preprint version
  • Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium. Chromosomal-level genome assembly of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778). GigaByte. 2024.
    • Early preprint version
  • Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium. Genome assembly of the milky mangrove Excoecaria agallocha. GigaByte. 2024.
    • Early preprint version https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.13.575302  
  • Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium. Chromosomal-level genome assembly of golden birdwing Troides aeacus (Felder & Felder, 1860). GigaByte. 2024.
    • Early preprint version https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.13.575334  

Earth Biogenome Project: Hong Kong 

Copyright free images available here:

 

Media contacts:

GigaScience Press Editor-in-Chief:

Scott Edmunds, Scott@gigasciencejournal.com, Office: +852 3610 3531 Cell: +852 92490853

Correspondence on behalf of the consortium:

Jerome Hui, jeromehui@cuhk.edu.hk

 

Sharing on social media?

Find GigaByte online on X @GigaByte; Facebook and keep up-to-date with our blog

About GigaByte:

GigaByte provides a way to rapidly and cost-effectively share research, making the scientific process more inclusive and accessible to the broader community. It uses an exclusively XML-based publishing system that automates the production process and makes it effortless to change views, languages and embed interactive content. Enabling readers to directly interact with the underlying data and software allows immediate use of published research, improves reproducibility, and increases trust. Upon acceptance this system converts manuscripts to online – and PDF-ready articles within hours with minimal human intervention, dramatically reducing production time and cost to provide an equitable solution to publish open science.

About GigaScience Press

GigaScience Press is BGI’s Open Access Publishing division, which publishes scientific journals and data. Its publishing projects are carried out with international publishing partners and infrastructure providers, including Oxford University Press and River Valley Technologies. It currently publishes two data-centric journals: its premier journal GigaScience and its sister journal GigaByte that publishes smaller units of research. It also publishes data, software, and other research objects via its GigaDB.org database. To encourage transparent reporting of scientific research as well as enable future access and analyses, it is a requirement of manuscript submission to all GigaScience Press journals that all supporting data and source code be made available in GigaDB or in a community approved, publicly available repository. See GigaSciencePress.com



Journal

Gigabyte

DOI

10.46471/GIGABYTE_SERIES_0006

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics

Article Publication Date

24-Apr-2024

COI Statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests

Share27Tweet17
Previous Post

Study highlights increased risk of second cancers among breast cancer survivors

Next Post

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of obesity-induced inflammation and metabolic dysfunction

Related Posts

blank
Cancer

AI Models Enhance Prediction of Chronic Kidney Disease Progression to End-Stage Renal Disease, New Study Finds

September 9, 2025
blank
Cancer

New Open-Source Data Platform Launched to Advance Lung Cancer Genetics Research

September 8, 2025
blank
Cancer

Overcoming Resistance Mutations and the Blood–Brain Barrier: Major Challenges in Targeted Therapy for Brain Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

September 8, 2025
blank
Cancer

Moffitt Creates First Genetically Engineered Cancer Model in Naked Mole Rats

September 8, 2025
blank
Cancer

IU Scientists Reengineer Cancer-Protective Regulatory T Cells to Combat Tumors

September 8, 2025
blank
Cancer

How Chemotherapy Interferes with the Body’s Internal Clock

September 8, 2025
Next Post
TM4SF19 mechanism regulating inflammatory response within adipose tissue

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of obesity-induced inflammation and metabolic dysfunction

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27546 shares
    Share 11015 Tweet 6885
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    962 shares
    Share 385 Tweet 241
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    643 shares
    Share 257 Tweet 161
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    510 shares
    Share 204 Tweet 128
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    314 shares
    Share 126 Tweet 79
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Mapping Groundwater Potential for Sustainable Management in India
  • Impact of Pesticides on Saccharomyces boulardii Metabolism
  • Hope and Support Boost Creativity: A Global Study
  • New Safety Signals for Estrogen in Transgender Women

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,183 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading