Our Mission
To understand how complex animal life evolved through changes in DNA and use this knowledge to become better stewards of the planet
The Genome 10K Community of Scientists: Assembling genomic data to understand vertebrate evolution and save dying species
Genome 10K is a project to sequence the genome of at least one individual from each vertebrate genus, approximately 10,000 genomes. It is a key milestone on the way toward the Vertebrate Genomes Project, the project to find and sequence at least one individual from each of the approximately 66,000 vertebrate species.
A mini-documentary about the Vertebrate Genomes Project
Scientists in the Vertebrate Genomes Project aim to sequence all vertebrates. That’s 66,000 species, maybe more. The goal: reference-grade sequence that helps labs around the world better understand these animals, their evolution, their ecosystems.
VGP generates largest number of high-quality genomes of iconic and endangered species
The Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) and collaborators are announcing the second data set of the largest number (101) of chromosomal-level genome assemblies of vertebrates towards completing Phase 1 of the VGP, which includes one representative species per vertebrate order or ~260 species.
Evolution Fast Track: Otter Genetic History Provides Clues for Future Recovery
Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute | Jun. 21, 2019 Unlike whales and dolphins that have lived in the marine world for more than 50 million years, sea otters have only had about 5 million years to develop the suite of adaptations necessary...
Evolution Fast Track: Otter Genetic History Provides Clues for Future Recovery
Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute | Jun. 21, 2019 Unlike whales and dolphins that have lived in the marine world for more than 50 million years, sea otters have only had about 5 million years to develop the suite of adaptations necessary...

Biodiversity Genomics 2020
Our annual G10K-VGP meeting, Biodiversity Genomics, was held October 5-9, 2020, celebrating success, exploring challenges and looking to the future of sequencing all life on Earth. The meeting was free to attend, thanks to generous support from the Tree of Life...