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Genome researchers celebrate success of pilot project
The white-tailed eagle is one of the species for which the project has created a reference genome.
The genomes for 98 species have been sequenced.

A pilot project that brought together scientists from across 33 countries has successfully produced reference genomes for 98 European species.

The genomes will be available for anyone around the world to study and will help researchers working in areas such as veterinary science, biosecurity and conservation.

Among the species sequenced was the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). The reference genome will allow researchers to look at genetic disorders in the species, including pinching-off syndrome in which the flight and control feathers of young white-tailed eagles are malformed and so prevent them from flying.

The pilot project was launched in 2021 by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and the Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research.

The genomes sequenced will form part of the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA). The atlas is the European section of the Earth BioGenome Project, which aims to make the genomes of all known animals, plants and fungi available to researchers around the world.

The initial pilot project of 98 species allowed those involved to identify and address some of the challenges which can arise in an international project of this kind.

These challenges included shipping biological samples between countries, dealing with disparities in resources between countries, and balancing decentralisation with the need for standardisation.

Giulio Formenti, a member of the ERGA Pilot Committee, said: “ERGA was all a dream, until it wasn't. Through this pilot project the prospect of uniting Europe under the flag of biodiversity genomics is now reality.

“We can be proud to have first established the process by which the genomes of many species will become available to the scientific community for conservation and beyond.”

A paper on the pilot project has been published in the journal npj Biodiversity.

Image © Shutterstock

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk