The project is now well up and running. We have already provided genome data for 56 species with genome sizes ranging from 50 Mb to 3 Gb, including fungi, mosses, plants, algae, invertebrates and vertebrates. Some species have been more challenging than others, non-biting midges from the genus Diamesa and the small staphylinid beetle Gyrophaena bolete, both have small body sizes and give relatively small quantities of DNA for sequencing.
During the first phase of EBP-Nor, we sequenced Norway’s national bird, the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus), and Norway’s national plant, the heather (Calluna vulgaris). Sequence data for these two species and several other species are now being assembled into reference genomes. Reference genomes have been curated for several species and are ready for publication. These include iconic species such as the Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), a reindeer species that can only be found on Svalbard, snowy owl (Bubo scandinavicus) and eider (Somateria mollissima), as well as several species of fish and fungi.
In addition to species already sequenced, samples from 47 species have been delivered to the sequencing centres at UiO and NMBU for DNA isolation and sequencing. In autumn 2023, we plan to turn over 100 arteries!
Successful sampling season to all persons going out for EBP-Nor sampling!