Earth and Its Future: Conservation and Biodiversity Genomics in a Changing Climate | Institute for Systems Genomics | University

Earth and Its Future: Conservation and Biodiversity Genomics in a Changing Climate | Institute for Systems Genomics | University of Connecticut
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UConn
University of Connecticut
Search University of Connecticut
A to Z Index
Ara ambiguous
(Great Green Macaw)
Juglans cinerea
(Butternut)
Acer macrophyllum
(Bigleaf Maple)
Tsuga canadensis
(Eastern Hemlock)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
(Green Ash)
Fraxinus quadrangulata
(Blue Ash)
Madrepora oculata
(Zigzag Coral)
Fraxinus profunda
(Pumpkin Ash)
The Biodiversity and Conservation Genomics Center within the Institute for Systems Genomics
provides undergraduate and graduate-level training through partnerships with UConn CLAS departments (EEB and MCB)
.  Undergraduate trainees participate in a one year program to learn to sequence, assemble, and annotate a species (or set of species) of conservation concern.
The training components of the BCG emphasize deeper investigation following the generation of the primary genomic resources. This includes the application of comparative genomics and population genetics, and direct interaction with practitioners engaged in restoration to bridge the conservation genomics gap.
The graduate students supported by the BCG program, in collaboration with the Computational Biology Core, develop scalable and reproducible software that facilitates genome assembly and annotation. Furthermore, they serve as mentors to the undergraduate students, guiding them through intensive training sessions spanning the academic year and summers. Together, they engage in research activities focused on threatened species, encompassing genome assembly/annotation, variant detection, and population genetics/landscape genetics.
The collaborative approach enables the application of cutting-edge genomic techniques in real-world conservation efforts. A significant aspect of the program involves a collaboration with
Oxford Nanopore’s Org.one program
that provides partial support for sequencing
IUCN Red List
species, particularly those listed as endangered. Through the Org.one program, the ISG and BCG have provided the first genomic resources for over 30 species of birds, amphibians, mammals, and plants. This collaboration is reinforced by recommendations published by the
EarthBioGenome Project
, an international consortium, with membership that includes UConn. Existing and new partnerships with federal/state agencies, and NGOs (CT DEEP, US Forest Service, aquariums, zoos, arboretums, and botanical collections) provide opportunities to implement genomic tools in management
In addition to successes in undergraduate and graduate-level training, the program has hosted several invited speakers, developed collaborations with external organizations, and received international attention through joint publication by the undergraduate cohort on genomes of conservation concern and an international session on the Org.one program at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference. Finally, the program has directly delivered genomic tools to federal practitioners involved in forest tree restoration.
Updates, News, Publications
Updates
Undergraduate Research Position Open
Published: December 18, 2025
The Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics (BCG) Training Program is currently inviting applications for its third cohort.
This year-long initiative offers a unique credit or pay-based training and research opportunity
where students learn to leverage bioinformatics tools to aid in the conservation of threatened species.
Please visit the site linked above for more details and access to the application form, which closes February 2nd, 2026.
In the News
Conserving Threatened North American Walnut
Published: October 2, 2023
Learn how a chromosome-scale reference genome is aiding the conservation efforts of a threatened North American walnut species.
Publications
Conserving a threatened North American walnut: a chromosome-scale reference genome for butternut (Juglans cinerea)
Published: September 13, 2023
The first chromosome-scale reference genome for butternut, an endangered species critical to Eastern U.S. and Southeastern Canadian ecosystems.