LOEWE Centre for
Translational Biodiversity Genomics
Understanding the genomic basis of 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
Genomic diversity as a basis for biodiversity
- 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.
The joint-venture LOEWE-TBG has been initiated by 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 and is initially funded by the LOEWE programme of the State of Hesse, Germany.
News
Digital Youth Earth Talk: "The era of DNA sequencing is affecting us all".
16.06.2021
DNA is the basic unit of inheritance to all biological information. It is impossible to understand evolution, the biology of organisms and cells, or even diseases and human behavior without dealing with the concept of the gene. Technologies now even make it possible that pieces of DNA can be inserted into the cells of living organisms in order to allow them to be reprogrammed. How will genome sequencing affect our daily lives? Is it a key technology or a threat to our future?
These and other questions will be discussed by Prof. Dr. Axel Janke, speaker of the LOEWE-TBG.
The event will take place online, June 17 at 6 pm. It is addressed to young people aged 15-25. Participation is free of charge.
Registration: info@foerderverein.senckenberg.de. The event is organized by the Senckenberg Förderverein.
Guest lecture by Laura Epp: Time travel via environmental DNA
02.06.2021
Who wouldn’t wish to be able to look into the past? New molecular methods make this possible now – especially when it comes to the history of ecosystems. How exactly does it work? Prof. Dr. Laura Epp will explain it in her talk “Environmental DNA from the past: molecular palaeoecology as a tool for studying past and future ecosystems”. Laura Epp is researcher and lecturer at the Limnological Institute of the University of Konstanz. She is also involved in the PHYTOARK research network, together with TBG researchers. The lecture will take place online on Tuesday, June 8, at 7:15 p.m. via livestream at www.senckenberg.de/live. A livestream can be found at www.senckenberg.de/live. The event is part of the Senckenberg lecture series "Bauplan der Natur – Wie Genomik unseren Blick auf die biologische Vielfalt revolutioniert" (in German).
LOEWE-TBG at the "Week of the Environment"
12.05.2021
LOEWE-TBG will present its research on biodiversity genomics at the "Week of the Environment" (Woche der Umwelt) on June 10 and 11. The event will be hosted by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in cooperation with the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) in the Park of Schloss Bellevue. The exhibitors have been selected by a jury of experts with the aim of showing their commitment to environmental protection and its aspects: from climate, energy and resources to soil and biodiversity, construction and mobility. The two-day program of the sixth edition will take place under the motto "This is how the future works“. The 150 exhibitors - among them LOEWE-TBG - will present their innovative solutions for the future - mainly in digital formats such as pictures and short video clips.
All informations about the WdU and the exhibitors can be found here.
Research at the centre is divided into four project areas and numerous individual and joint projects:
Comparative GenomicsPhoto: Myotis myotis © Oliver Farcy
Natural Products GenomicsPhoto: Dr. Carsten Kegler
Genomic BiomonitoringPhoto: Axel Gomille
Functional Environmental GenomicsPhoto: © Andy Murray chaosofdelight.org
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