LOEWE Centre for
Translational Biodiversity Genomics
Understanding the genomic basis of biodiversity
Genomic diversity as a basis for biodiversity
Biodiversity is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution and one of the most complex phenomena on earth. The LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics focusses on the genetic basis of biological diversity to make it accessible for basic and applied research. We sequence and study genomic variation across the tree of life to comprehend the origin and functional adaptations of diversity from genes to ecosystems (Comparative Genomics). The data addresses societal knowledge demands in applied fields, such as the genomic basis of biologically active substances (Natural Products Genomics), and the sustainable use and management of biological resources (Genomic Biomonitoring; Functional Environmental Genomics)
Main Objectives of TBG
- establish a new and taxonomically broad genome collection, the Senckenberg Biodiversity Genome Collection (SBGC) as an innovative digital and specimen-based museum collection
- compare genomic diversity across the tree of life to better understand the origin and functions of all levels of biological diversity (from genes to ecosystems)
- make genomic resources accessible for applied research, e.g. for a sustainable bioeconomy or natural resources management.
LOEWE-TBG is a joint research institution of the Senckenberg Nature Research Society, the Goethe University Frankfurt, the Justus Liebig University Gießen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPIterMic), the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP and is initially funded by the LOEWE programme of the State of Hesse, Germany.
Research at the centre is divided into four project areas and numerous individual and joint projects:
The LOEWE TBG laboratory centre and a bioinformatics unit provide a powerful infrastructure for the direct implementation of projects. Their results are made available to society via technology transfer and public relations.
News
Back in the wetlands - the European pond turtle receives support from the research project Emys-R
27.09.2022
From the zoo to the wild – this is the path taken by a total of 650 European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in the German-French border area between Neuburg am Rhein and Lauterbourg over the past ten years. The last group was released into their natural habitat in the Woerr bioreserve in Alsace in mid-September 2022 – to be closely monitored there in the coming years. In Europe, the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is the only naturally occurring turtle species in freshwater. The aim of the action is to reintroduce the species, which according to the Red List is threatened with extinction.
Since 2022, a new scientific framework has been provided by the large-scale European research project Emys-R, headed by Dr Kathrin Theissinger, a scientist at the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and the Hessian LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG). In addition to ecological aspects, the focus there is also on societal aspects.
For more infos see press release at Senckenberg. (Foto: Nicolas Busser)
An eye on genes - currently unknown genes are responsible for good eyesight
06.07.2022
Many people suffer from eye diseases, that can lead to blindness in the worst case. Eye-related diseases like cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are well described, nevertheless, the underlying causative genes are frequently unknown.
A team of scientists from the LOEWE-TBG and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Frankfurt as well as from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden and the Centre for Regenerative Therapies of the Technical University Dresden has now set out to identify some of these undiscovered genes in mammals that take over functions in the eye. They discovered 15 previously unknown eye-related genes in their large-scale genomic analysis and confirmed 14 more genes with known roles in the eye. The study published in the journal “eLife” by researchers is ground-breaking as it uses genome analysis to predict gene function. It lays the foundation for further research related to vision and the eye.
For more infos see press release at Senckenberg (Foto: Josh More (flickr, Naked Mole Rat_15, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
How a harmless environmental bacterium became the dreaded hospital germ Acinetobacter baumannii
02.06.2022
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are often particularly difficult to treat because the pathogens have developed resistance to common antibiotics. The bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii is particularly dreaded in this respect, and research is seeking new therapeutic approaches to combat it. To look for suitable starting points, an international team led by Ingo Ebersberger at Goethe University Frankfurt and LOEWE-TBG has compared thousands of genomes of pathogenic and harmless Acinetobacter strains. This has delivered clues about which properties might have made A. baumannii a successful pathogen – and how it might possibly be combated.
Ebersberger is convinced: “Our data are of such a high resolution that we can even look at the situation in individual strains. This knowledge can now be used to develop specific therapies against which, with all probability, resistance does not yet exist.”
For more infos see press release at Goethe University (Graphik: Kateryna Kon/ Schutterstock)
What’s new at LOEWE-TBG? Find all our videos, news, press releases and selected press articles in our Newsroom. By watching our videos you can, for example, take a look into our lab center and learn more about DNA extraction or get to know TBG’s junior research groups. News include scientific results, prizes, conferences, events, job vacancies and much more. Take a look, stay tuned and follow us on Twitter @LOEWE_TBG.
You need texts or pictures about LOEWE-TBG for publication in media? Our numerous press releases and those of our partners as well as press pictures can also be found at the News Room (via Senckenberg). TBG in TV, Radio and in newspapers – we further compiled a selection of media reports.
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