Establishing infrastructure for the Australian Tree of Life
PURPOSE
The Australian Tree of Life (AToL) represents the diversity and relationships of species across Australia.
The AToL Bioinformatics group is bridging the gap between the generation of genomics data and applications by accelerating genome assembly, annotation and analysis for species relevant to Australia.
Australia is one of a few megadiverse regions in the world, with around 80 percent of Australia's native species not occurring naturally anywhere else. National strategic plans for biodiversity and biosecurity emphasise the importance of making informed, data-driven decisions to support this unique environment and the primary industries that flourish in it.
Generating genomic data for all relevant Australian species is an immense undertaking. Many current datasets are held offshore, which creates data sovereignty risks and impedes analysis and application of the data.
Multiple national efforts are currently underway to sequence species across Australia's tree of life, but the process of transforming raw sequence data into genome assemblies which can be leveraged for downstream analyses can be time-intensive and computationally expensive.
APPROACH
The Genome Engine implemented by AToL Bioinformatics will accelerate the assembly and annotation of genomic data. The Australian research community will be provided access to genome assemblies, annotations and published Genome Notes soon after the raw sequencing data has been created.
Applied Data Laboratories will generate actionable information for decision-makers based on genomic resources. For example, a Biosecurity Data Lab will quickly identify notifiable animal viruses in genomic datasets. This will allow researchers, industry and government to harness the power of genomics to inform actions that secure Australia's primary industries, nature, and biodiversity.
VISION
Faster generation, publication and re-use of reference genomes for Australian species.
OUR WORK
AToL Bioinformatics is currently establishing:
A Genome Engine, enabling rapid, automated genome assembly, annotation and publication
Data labs that enhance use of genomics resources in biodiversity and biosecurity.
For details, visit our technical documentation page.
PROJECT TIMELINE
June 2024 - June 2026
PROJECT COLLABORATORS
Australian BioCommons is collaborating with Bioplatforms Australia, the University of Melbourne, Minderoo Foundation,
Darwin Tree of Life and the European Nucleotide Archive to deliver the AToL Genome Engine.
