Techniques and Challenges in Conservation Genomics

The field of conservation genomics centers on applying genomics technologies in support of conservation efforts and the preservation of biodiversity. This article features interviews with two researchers who showcase their innovative work and highlight the current state and future of conservation genomics.

Avian Conservation
Matthew DeSaix, a recent doctoral graduate from Kristen Ruegg’s lab at The University of Colorado, shared that most of his research...

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic vision to a mainstream technology, highlighted by the introduction of tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. In recent years, AI has become increasingly integrated into the field of genomics. This integration has enabled new scientific discoveries while simultaneously raising important ethical questions¹. Interviews with two researchers at the center of this intersection provide insightful perspectives into...

New and advanced multiomics tools and technologies have opened new avenues of research and markedly enhanced various disciplines such as disease research and precision medicine¹. The practice of merging diverse data from various ‘omes increasingly provides a more holistic understanding of biological systems. As Maddison Masaeli, Co-Founder and CEO at Deepcell, aptly noted, “You can't explain biology in its complex form with one modality.”

A major leap in the field has...

The study of three-dimensional (3D) genomics explores the spatial structure of genomes and their role in processes like gene expression and DNA replication. By employing innovative technologies, researchers can study these arrangements to discover their role in various biological processes. Scientists continue to find new ways in which the organization of DNA is involved in processes like development¹ and disease².

Basic Organization and Structure
Understanding...

The Basics of Population Genomics
Population genomics utilizes comprehensive DNA sequence analysis on a wide scale to reveal patterns in genetic variation. It provides valuable information that can be used to better understand ancestry, health, evolution, and more. In many cases, human population genomics studies are focused on diseases and healthcare with the primary objective of finding genetic biomarkers for diagnostics and therapeutics¹.

By focusing on large...

For many, the idea of ancient DNA (aDNA) can invoke images from the iconic movie scene with a mosquito trapped in amber, or perhaps one of the real discoveries involving a woolly mammoth perfectly preserved in ice¹. However, this field is much more than unearthing prehistoric animals or a real project working to resurrect them². The study of aDNA is vital for interpreting the past and making sense of the present. For example, Swedish geneticist Svante Pääbo...

Rare diseases affect an estimated 3.5–5.9% of the global population¹. Patients dealing with these conditions not only face a direct impact on their health but also frequently encounter challenges in identifying the genetic origins of their disorder. This often leaves them with limited treatment options. However, the field of rare disease diagnosis has seen significant advances with the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS). Essential techniques like whole-exome sequencing...

The recent pandemic caused worldwide health, economic, and social disruptions with its reverberations still felt today. A key takeaway from this event is the need for accurate and accessible tools for detecting and tracking infectious diseases. Timely identification is essential for early intervention, managing outbreaks, and preventing their spread. This article reviews several valuable tools employed in the detection and surveillance of infectious diseases....

Microbiome research has led to the discovery of important connections to human and environmental health. Sequencing has become a core investigational tool in microbiome research, a subject that we covered during a recent webinar. Our expert speakers shared a number of advancements including improved experimental workflows, research involving transmission dynamics, and invaluable analysis resources. This article recaps their informative presentations, offering insights...

Spatial technologies have improved our understanding of the transcriptome by providing insights into the spatial organization and interactions of cells. While next-generation sequencing (NGS) remains an important approach and is the main focus of our community, its data alone is unable to resolve unique spatial information. Jacob Stern, Director of Product Management at 10X Genomics, emphasized how numerous researchers choose to use both spatial platforms and single-cell...