Sequencing for conservation

Currently, more than 42,000 species of animals, plants and fungi around the world are threatened with extinction. These species need intensive conservation efforts to prevent their extinction, and an important aspect of this conservation is sequencing. Sequencing enables researchers to monitor threatened species and the biodiversity of ecosystems, as well increasing the understanding of a species’ biology and physiology, which helps people to make informed decisions about conservation interventions.

This In Focus, in association with Oxford Nanopore, will explore how sequencing is being utilized in conservation projects and the technologies that are enabling this. It will also discuss the importance of localized sequencing in these projects, including the ORG.one project, which aims to support rapid sequencing of any critically endangered species, anywhere, by anyone.