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).
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.
Main Objectives of TBG
- 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.
- Develop and apply genomic methods to monitor biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, Inform species conservation efforts, understand the genomic basis of biodiversity, find new applications of biodiversity, e.g. in biomedical research
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
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.
A luminous land snail is the “International Mollusc of the Year 2024”
18.04..2024
More than 6,000 people took part in the public vote
A land snail that can glow constantly is the “International Mollusc of the Year 2024”! The “living glow stick” Phuphania crossei received the most votes in the online public vote. The snail made it to the final of the international competition along with four other molluscs. The competition, which entered its fourth round this year, was launched by the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, the LOEWE-TBG and Unitas Malacologica, the international society for mollusc research, to raise awareness about the enormous biodiversity of molluscs and to promote their conservation.
The snail from Thailand won more than half the votes, beating two other snail species, a mussel, and a small squid. Phuphania crossei is an air-breathing land snail found only in the tropical forests of Thailand. It takes its name from the Phu Phan mountains in the north-east of the country. Its special feature is that it constantly produces its own bioluminescent light, emitting a greenish glow like a living glow stick.
Phuphania crossei was nominated for the title of “International Mollusc of the Year 2024” by Dr Arthit Pholyotha. He conducts research on taxonomy and phylogeny of Southeast Asian land snails at the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. For more infos see press release at Senckenberg. (Photo: Yuichi Oba)
Vote for the "International Mollusc of the Year 2024" Online public voting starts today
13.03.2024
Which mollusc will be the “International Mollusc of the Year” in 2024? From today, everyone interested can take part in the global online public vote. This year marks the fourth round of the competition, which was launched by the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG) and Unitas Malacologica, the world mollusc society. The aim is to help the large and species-rich group of molluscs gain more attention and protection. The winning species will have its complete genome sequenced.
Five very different species have made it to the finals this year in the race for the title of “International Mollusc of the Year 2024”: the Wavy Bubble Snail (Micromelo undatus), the “Living Glow Stick” (Phuphania crossei), the Coosa Fiveridge (Amblema elliottii), the Wavy Sea Butterfly (Clio recurva) and the Atlantic Brief Squid (Lolliguncula brevis)..
Voting will run from 13 March to 14 April 2024 at 23:59 (CET) on the website of the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research under the link
https://www.senckenberg.de/en/molluscoftheyear2024
The “International Mollusc of the Year 2024” will be announced on 18 April 2024.
For more infos see press release at Senckenberg. (Photo: caribbeanreeflife.com)
Unchanged over millions of years - First complete genome sequencing of a snakefly helps to understand its evolutionary history
08.02.2024
They have a striking shape, are diurnal, predatory insects and occur only in the Northern Hemisphere. Snakeflies (Raphidioptera), also known as camel-neck flies, have gained further notoriety with the selection of the Black-necked Snakefly as “Insect of the Year 2022” in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Nevertheless, these dainty representatives of the Neuropterida are often overlooked. Scientists from Frankfurt, Müncheberg and Vienna have now sequenced the entire genome of a snakefly for the first time. The data provide an insight into the evolutionary development of this insect order and enable genomic comparisons.
“With the 669 million base pairs, we have a huge data set that we will use to understand the genetic adaptations that enabled these ‘living fossils’ to survive the asteroid impact.”, emphasises Dr Magnus Wolf, first author of the study. The data of the filigree insect was analysed in the laboratory centre of the Hessian LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, which is based at the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Frankfurt am Main.
For more infos see press release at Senckenberg. (Photo: Harald Bruckner)
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LOEWE Research Initiatives Network
