25 Genomes: Mapping Nature’s Code

Sequencing the genomes of 25 UK species for the first time - one for every year of the Sanger Institute's anniversary

The story so far…

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Sanger Institute in 2018, we’re working with scientists, conservationists and wildlife experts to advocate 25 UK species to have their genomes sequenced for the first time.

The species have been divided into five zones – floundering, flourishing, cryptic, iconic and dangerous. Schools students from across the UK voted for five of the 25 species though  I’m a Scientist Get Me Out of Here!

The species chosen through the I’m a Scientist vote were:

  • Common Starfish
  • Fen Raft Spider
  • Asian Hornet
  • Lesser Spotted Catshark
  • Eurasian Otter

You can check out the final 25 species now having their full genomes sequenced here.

25 Genomes School Competition

We offered schools involved in voting for a species, whether they made the final 25 or not, to win a trip to the Wellcome Genome Campus, home of the world-famous Wellcome Sanger Institute – as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Students were challenged to create a piece of work that describes their 25 Genomes experience with I’m a Scientist Get Me Out Of Here.   This could be a poster, short video or other display that can tell others about the experience and what they learned from the scientists.   The winning from a secondary school came from St Dominic’s Grammar School, Belfast with this creative video.

Students from St Dominic’s will be visiting the Wellcome Genome Campus in December to meet some of our scientist, experience the new Open Lab facility and the Curious Nature exhibition.