Centre for Biodiversity Genomics
{{Short description|Research institute at University of Guelph}}
The Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG) is a non-profit research institute at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.{{Cite web |title=Centres, Institutes, and Groups {{!}} Office of Research |url=https://www.uoguelph.ca/research/discover-our-research/centres-institutes-groups?page=2 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.uoguelph.ca}} It is led and was developed by Dr. Paul D. N. Hebert. Originally founded in 2007 as the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, it was re-branded as the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG) in 2012 following completion of the 50,000 square foot facility’s second stage of construction.{{Cite web |title=Facilities – Centre for Biodiversity Genomics |url=https://biodiversitygenomics.net/about/facilities/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |language=en-US}} The CBG conducts research in species identification using DNA barcoding and metabarcoding.{{Cite journal |last1=Ratnasingham |first1=Sujeevan |last2=Hebert |first2=Paul |date=2013 |title=A DNA-Based Registry for All Animal Species: The Barcode Index Number (BIN) System |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=7 |pages=e66213 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0066213 |doi-access=free |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=3704603 |pmid=23861743|bibcode=2013PLoSO...866213R }}{{Cite journal |last1=Ratnasingham |first1=Sujeevan |last2=Hebert |first2=Paul |date=2007 |title=The Barcode of Life Data System |journal=Molecular Ecology Notes |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=355–364 |doi=10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.01678.x |issn=1471-8278 |pmc=1890991 |pmid=18784790}}
The Centre is recognized for its global role in biodiversity genomics and supports the international research community by providing sequencing and informatics services. It analyzes millions of specimens annually using high-throughput DNA sequencers and mainframe computers to process and interpret genetic data.{{Cite web |title=Investment in Center for Biodiversity Genomics |url=https://genomecanada.ca/project/centre-for-biodiversity-genomics/ |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=Genome Canada}}
The CBG also supports the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD),{{Cite web |title=BOLD – The Barcode of Life Data Systems |url=https://boldsystems.org/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |language=en-US}} which is a cloud-based platform specifically developed for storage and analysis of DNA barcode data, and the Multiplex Barcode Research And Visualization Environment (mBRAVE),{{Cite web |title=mBRAVE - Metabarcoding at Scale |url=https://www.mbrave.net/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.mbrave.net}} which is an analogous platform to support highly multiplexed projects derived from high-throughput sequencing instruments.
The CBG also hosts the secretariat of the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) consortium, which is a not-for-profit alliance involving researchers and organizations from over 40 countries with a mission to inventory the world's species using DNA barcoding.{{Cite web |title=Contact – International Barcode of Life |url=https://ibol.org/contact/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |language=en-US}}
History
In 2019, the CBG launched the Arctic BIOSCAN project, a $1.8 million initiative funded by Polar Knowledge Canada to catalog Arctic biodiversity using DNA barcoding. The project involved researchers and local community members in collecting and identifying specimens in areas such as Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk.{{Cite web |date=31 July 2019 |title=A new effort to catalogue Arctic biodiversity depends on 'DNA barcodes' |url=https://www.arctictoday.com/a-new-effort-to-catalogue-arctic-biodiversity-depends-on-dna-barcodes/ |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=Arctic Today}}
File:PaulHebert AwardCeremony.jpg
In 2022, the CBG was awarded $8.9 million by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) through its [https://www.innovation.ca/apply-manage-awards/funding-opportunities/major-science-initiatives-fund Major Sciences Initiatives (MSI) program].{{Cite web |date=2022-08-19 |title=Centre for Biodiversity Genomics Receives $8.9-Million Boost |url=https://news.uoguelph.ca/2022/08/centre-for-biodiversity-genomics-receives-8-9-million-boost/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=U of G News |language=en-US}} In total, 19 research centres at 14 institutions across Canada were awarded funding through the MSI program which were showcased in a collection of stories{{Cite web |date=2022-08-19 |title=Research facilities in a class of their own {{!}} Canada Foundation for Innovation |url=https://www.innovation.ca/projects-results/research-stories/research-facilities-class-their-own |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.innovation.ca |language=en}} about Canadian research facilities including the CBG.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-19 |title=Facing a biodiversity crisis, the challenge to catalogue all life is ON {{!}} Canada Foundation for Innovation |url=https://www.innovation.ca/projects-results/research-stories/cataloguing-all-worlds-living-things-centre-biodiversity-genomics |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.innovation.ca |language=en}} The Canada Foundation for Innovation noted that the CBG maintains a collection of seven million specimens, a corresponding image archive, and what it described as the largest DNA archive dedicated to biodiversity. It also highlighted the Centre’s collaboration with the Costa Rican government to catalogue that country’s estimated one million species, supporting conservation initiatives and research into natural medicines.{{Cite web |date=19 August 2022 |title=Facing a biodiversity crisis, the challenge to catalogue all life is ON {{!}} Canada Foundation for Innovation |url=https://www.innovation.ca/projects-results/research-stories/cataloguing-all-worlds-living-things-centre-biodiversity-genomics |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=Canada Foundation for Innovation}}
In a 2023 CBC interview, Centre director Paul Hebert stated that Canada’s investment in the CBG had established the world’s first core facility for DNA barcoding. He reported that the Centre was leading an international initiative involving researchers from 41 countries and described it as the first large-scale scientific project focused on biodiversity.{{Cite web |date=26 February 2023 |title=Why not mark 20 years of DNA barcoding by scraping bugs off your windshield? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/dna-bar-code-barcoding-biodiversity-university-of-guelph-1.6758134 |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=CBC News}} That same year, CTV News reported that the Centre had collected over eight million specimens from around the world through international agreements. These specimens are stored and catalogued at the facility to support biodiversity monitoring and global research efforts.{{Cite web |date=13 February 2023 |title=20 years of DNA barcoding at University of Guelph |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/20-years-of-dna-barcoding-at-university-of-guelph/ |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=CTV News}}
References
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