Biodiversity is at the core of the Darwin Tree of Life project. The teams are aiming to obtain genome sequences for each of the 70,000+ species of eukaryotic organisms in Britain and Ireland.

This type of genomic information can then help us in the conservation and protection of the species that share our islands.

For the first time ever, the Darwin Tree of Life experts have sequenced the complete genomes of the red and grey squirrels. Now, we can use this information to ask important conservation questions like: What is it that makes grays immune to deadly squirrel pox? Is it better to select certain red squirrels for reintroduction into areas where they have become thin on the ground?

We’ll be joined by Chiara Bortoluzzi whose work on the Darwin Tree of Life project involves, “looking for interesting signatures in DNA that can explain why species look like they do and what we can do to make sure that they do not go extinct.”

Log in at Schools @ Darwin Tree of Life and click on the Chat button to find out more about how the experts are using genomics to help preserve UK biodiversity!