Establishing infrastructure for the Australian Tree of Life

A computer with coloured lines arranged to look like code

Vision

Faster generation, publication and re-use of reference genomes for Australian species.

GOALS

The Australian Tree of Life will be a digital library of molecular data for species relevant to Australia, powered by:

  • A Genome Engine, enabling rapid, automated genome assembly, annotation and publication

  • Data labs that enhance use of genomics resources in biodiversity and biosecurity.

Purpose

The Australian Tree of Life (AToL) Infrastructure Establishment Project 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

AToL's Genome Engine 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.

Project timeline

June 2024 - June 2026

Project partners

Australian BioCommons is collaborating with Bioplatforms Australia, the University of Melbourne and Minderoo Foundation to deliver the AToL.