Lead institution:
Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) – France
The ATLASea project aims to sequence genomes of marine species in French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), enhancing understanding of diverse life forms.
Coordinated by CEA and CNRS, it will sequence at least 3,900 species in metropolitan and 600 in overseas areas, focusing on threatened, scientifically or economically significant ecosystems. The project involves collecting samples, high-quality DNA sequencing, and data management. Its goals include monitoring marine biodiversity and discovering new biological materials for biotech applications. The data will be freely available and will support research in evolution, genetics, and biochemistry, benefiting aquaculture, agriculture, and medical fields. ATLASea is part of global initiatives such as the European Reference Genome Initiative (ERGA) and the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP), aligning with the European Union’s sustainable blue economy initiatives and the United Nation Ocean Decade Programme.
Start Date: 06/01/2024
End Date: 30/05/2031
Lead Contact: Hugues Roest Crollius (hrc@bio.ens.psl.fr)