Institutional Research Consortia at the CSBD

International Genome Sequencing Projects

The MPI-CBG and CSBD are actively engaged in the production of high-quality genome assemblies using long-read sequencing and scaffolding technologies. Our special expertise lies in genome assembly and we are actively participating in several synergistic sequencing projects, namely: 

  • The Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) of the Genome 10K (G10K) organization has the goal of sequencing and assembling a high quality genome for all 66,000 species of vertebrates. Together with the scientists at the Rockefeller University, the Wellcome Sanger Institute and NHRGI we are, in the Phase 1 - VGP orders project, sequencing one representative species of each of the 260 vertebrate orders. In the first public release of this project, we contributed 2 of the 15 genomes released on Sept. 12, 2018. In the future, we expect to sequence about 10% of the VGP species in Dresden.
  • The Bat1K project has the goal of sequencing all 1,300 species of bats many of which live unusually long or have near-perfect immune systems.  We are preparing to release 6 genomes in the near future, and are funded to sequence another 25 species: one from every family of bats and additional species to study aging, immunity, and vocal-learning in collaboration with the Bat1K consortium.
  • Euro-Fish: we have generously been funded to begin to sequence all of the almost 600 species of fish swimming in European fresh waters. In the initial phase, we are planning to sequence about 50 species from a given geographic area to understand how the environment shapes the evolution of genomes.

The MPI-CBG, the CSBD, and all projects above are funded by the Max Planck Society. All the sequencing, assembly, and initial annotation for the Bat1K and Euro-Fish project are being performed in Dresden. Each of the genomes sequenced at the MPI-CBG and the CSBD will be made available in public repositories and will become part of the Genomic Ark, the digital open-access library of the 66,000 species sequenced within the VGP project. 

The MPI-CBG is part of the DRESDEN-concept Genome Center (DCGC). The DCGC is a joint sequencing center between the TU Dresden and the MPI-CBG, and one of four DFG-funded German competence centers for next generation sequencing (NGS-CC). The cooperative project is an amalgamation of employees of the TU Dresden and MPI-CBG, as well as of the CSBD, and the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), a Cluster of Excellence at TU Dresden. This has lead to a successful bundling of the Dresden-based expertise in the field of genome sequencing.

Contact:

Sylke Winkler (DNA Sequencing & Genotyping MPI-CBG / DCGC)

Gene Myers (Director MPI-CBG / CSBD)