David Hibbett (Clark University) fills us in on the kind of decay that makes shiitake mushrooms special. This week, he 39 collaborators published a paper tracing how these mushrooms have evolved. [Read More]
To make fuels and chemicals from plants, we’ll need new ways of processing bark, shoots and leaves. Hear from JGI User Michelle O’Malley about the gut fungi that could be the key to better biomass breakdown. [Read More]
Since 2016, the JGI has leveraged their work as pioneers in metagenomics to boost understanding of environmental viruses. At the time, the JGI expanded its existing Integrated Microbial Genomes & Microbiomes database to include a dedicated section for viruses; the latest release of IMG/VR currently features over 15 million viral genomes. [Read More]
The JGI’s Community Science Program gives researchers access to all kinds of sequencing, ‘omics and bioinformatics capabilities — and it’s open to scientists at any career stage, anywhere in the world, for free. We accept new projects related to energy and the environment several times a year. A few proposal calls have deadlines coming up – in January, March, and later on in the spring.
In this episode, hear proposal tips from Tanja Woyke, who runs user programs at the JGI, and project manager Miranda Harmon-Smith, who helps shepherd CSP projects along.
[Read More]
In the last 30 years, in environments all over the world, scientists have discovered giants among viruses. A new review provides a perspective on how culturing techniques, sequencing and bioinformatics have all broadened the study of giant viruses. [Read More]
Every year, the JGI sequences around 35,000 samples — from plants, algae, bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses — to support scientists around the world. Most of those researchers send their samples in from afar, without ever hearing much about the sequencing lab. So today, Chris Daum walks through the JGI’s sequencing pipeline, where there are freezers with names — but not doors — and robots handle a bunch of benchwork.
[Read More]
Since 2010, the JGI has supported researchers studying microbial methane-makers. Eventually, that could help us dial back their emissions, while still producing things like meat, milk, and wool. [Read More]
Black fungi are microscopic and mighty. They survive everywhere from Antarctica to Joshua Tree National Park, despite extremely harsh conditions. And their survival secrets could one day help other organisms survive hotter, drier climates. So University of Tuscia researchers Laura Selbmann and Claudia Coleine are working with scientists from around the world – and the JGI – to understand them better. [Read More]