From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Extreme-environment archaea have unique metabolic abilities, but their gene-control networks are unclear. Amy K. Schmid will use DAP-seq to map transcription factor–DNA interactions. More: https://jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Recently published in @science.org : With high-quality genomes, researchers shed light on pathways to starch and lignin — important starting materials for a wide variety of bioproducts. @jleebensmack.bsky.social @biosci.lbl.gov

What Wilder Plants Illuminate About Bioeconomy Crops | Joint Genome Institute

With high-quality genomes, researchers shed light on pathways to starch and lignin — important starting materials for a wide variety of bioproducts.

jgi.doe.gov

From our FY26 joint CMM call: John Sedbrook is studying how Brassicaceae plants take up and accumulate metals, and aims to apply that knowledge to optimize the ability of these species to extract nickel from nickel-rich soils. Full Portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

The JGI is scaling generation of high-quality, AI-ready data via automation. The S2S transformation will expand sequencing capacity through automated sample processing and data delivery—ensuring consistent, standardized datasets suitable for large-scale analysis. More: jointgeno.me/stratplanrelease

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Ocean fungi produce enzymes that break down hard-to-degrade polymers. Xuefeng (Nick) Peng will use biodesign and multi-omics to test new GH7 enzymes and map how they convert polymers into useful sugars. More: https://jointgeno.me/FGFY26

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Chris Rinke will explore microbes as an alternative method for extracting rare earth elements. Uncovering the microbial processes involved could help lay a foundation for future biological extraction methods. Full Portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

The JGI is celebrating our 30th anniv! Over the next 15 months, we'll trace pivotal breakthroughs, as well as the researchers and staff who made them possible.🖥️🧬 Learn more: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-celebrates-30-years-user-science @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @biosci.lbl.gov

JGI Celebrates 30 Years of User Science | Joint Genome Institute

The JGI is charting a new course toward AI-driven user research and discovery. This story is part of our series marking this milestone by connecting past achievements to cur...

jgi.doe.gov

New research decodes how a single stress signal transforms bacterial metabolism, offering engineers precise targets for designing better microbial factories. 🖥️ 🧬 More: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/pinch-salt-activates-silent-gene-clusters-streptomyces

A Pinch of Salt Activates Silent Gene Clusters in Streptomyces | Joint Genome Institute

This single environmental trigger highlights efficiency for users requiring multiple omics methods to examine microbial chemical production.

jgi.doe.gov

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Microbes can boost energy efficiency through electron transfer bifurcation. Anne-Frances Miller will ID bifurcation-capable electron transfer flavoproteins by testing selected ETFs using gene synthesis @ukresearch.bsky.social More: https://jointgeno.me/FGFY26

The NMDC will be merging its core, high-performing functionalities directly into DOE-BRIDGE. We extend our deepest gratitude to our core team, advisors, ambassadors and champions, DOE BER, and the community 🦠 🌎 Thank you for seven incredible years of collaboration! microbiomedata.org/faqs

📣 JGI Releases New Strategic Plan: As AI and advanced computing change what's possible in biology, the JGI is entering a new chapter. "AI-Driven Genomics to Accelerate Biological Discovery" charts a course for the future. Learn more: jointgeno.me/stratplanrelease @biosci.lbl.gov

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Claire Remacle is investigating how two key proteins — an enzyme and a copper carrier — work together in photosynthetic organisms. Full Portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

We provide genomic capabilities, large-scale data & professional expertise to researchers advancing energy & infrastructure security. 🧬Opportunities: https://jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/proposals 🧬Resources: https://jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/offerings-capabilities 🧬Mission: https://jgi.doe.gov/mission

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Noncanonical cofactors can cut biomanufacturing costs but need engineered enzymes. Han Li will redesign MDR and formate dehydrogenase enzymes to work in reaction cascades with these cofactors. @UCIEngineering More: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

A team of researchers conducted extensive recoding of the E. coli genome, in a way that frees up space to add new genetic features and enhancements while keeping the engineered cells working properly. @geochurch.bsky.social @akosnyerges.bsky.social

New Method Offers Safer, More Powerful Synthetic Organisms | Joint Genome Institute

Genome-building with SynOMICS reveals hidden rules of the genetic code and opens doors to virus-proof, industrially useful bacteria.

jgi.doe.gov

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Serpentine rhizobia have evolved nickel resistance. @stephaniesimone.bsky.social studies nano-scale mechanisms of nickel absorption, movement and storage — contributing to critical mineral bio-recovery efforts. @wsupress.bsky.social More: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Many high-value chemicals can be made by microbes, but finding the right enzymes is a bottleneck. Seung Hwan (Allen) Lee will screen for thiolase variants that help build better pathways to nylon precursors. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Really excited to host Dr Jonelle Basso this afternoon to talk about #phages and plant-host interactions! @jgi.doe.gov @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @sfstatebio.bsky.social

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY for early-bird rates to our VEGA symposium in Berkeley, CA this November. 🖥️ 🧬 🦠 See below for keynote speakers; More information at jointgeno.me/VEGA

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Sergey Nuzhdin and student Leah Ferger will study how genetic differences in giant kelp affect cell-wall binding of rare earth elements, informing bio-inspired strategies for critical mineral recovery. @USCDornsife Full Portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

In a recent episode of Genome Insider, @jotlovell.bsky.social discussed why a single reference genome for Sorghum proved insufficient, and the value of a pangenome to represent the crop's full genetic diversity: https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/podcasts/spectrum-sorghum 🖥️ 🧬 🌱

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Speciality chemicals like non-standard amino acids could be made more efficiently in microbes with hardier enzymes. @kunjapur.bsky.social will use biodesign to make pathway enzymes more thermostable. Full portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/FGFY26

The Primer goes out every other month and includes updates on user research, upcoming events, proposal recipients and other opportunities. Stay in touch! Sign up at jointgeno.me/newsletter

From our FY26 joint CMM call: @merchant-lab.bsky.social will study ab protein's role in zinc assimilation, then modify it to bind other critical metals in algal cells & test how well it removes them from the growth medium. Full portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26 @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

Thanks @jgi.doe.gov for the opportunity!

Joint Genome Institute@jgi.doe.gov · last mo.

From our FY26 joint CMM call: @jjmarlow.bsky.social will use microbial assemblages from a hypersaline environment—the Basque Lakes—to evaluate bioleaching rates, selectivity and metabolic mechanisms using a suite of omics and microscopy tools. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Perspective: Pangenomes are Only as Powerful as their Annotation Method Are researchers wasting resources following false trails — due to variations in interpretative methods? 🖥️🧬 🌱 @tomasbruna.bsky.social Full story below⬇️

Perspective: Pangenomes are Only as Powerful as their Annotation Method | Joint Genome Institute

Researchers may be wasting resources following false trails due to variations in interpretative methods.

jgi.doe.gov

"The Mobilome in the Mire" DNA sleuths 🕵️‍♀️ @scbagby.bsky.social and 🕵️‍♂️ @simrouxvirus.bsky.social tracked a whole zoo of mobile genetic elements in thawing permafrost ❄️💧 for 8 years. Another Genome Insider podcast from @jgi.doe.gov 🎙️: jgi.doe.gov/user-science...

The Mobilome in the Mire | Joint Genome Institute

Join Sarah Bagby (Case Western Reserve University) and Simon Roux (JGI) as they talk about their recent work on a time series from Sweden’s Stordalen Mire. By looking at Mobile Genetic Elements, or MG...

jgi.doe.gov

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Bacteriophages reshape plant-associated bacteria by reprogramming gene expression. @michhulin.bsky.social will use DAP-seq to map phage transcription factor binding in Pseudomonas and link it to plant traits. Full portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/FGFY26

🚨 DEADLINE SEPT. 8: First time PIs have until Tuesday to submit proposals for our New Investigator call. Details here: jointgeno.me/CSPnewPI https://bsky.app/profile/jgi.doe.gov/post/3msy2sihm3r2e

Joint Genome Institute@jgi.doe.gov · 2mo ago

📣 New Investigator proposals are due Sept. 8! Here, @maggiesogin.bsky.social of @ucmerced.bsky.social talks about how the program has benefited research at her lab. 🖥️🧬 Interested in applying? More info: jointgeno.me/CSPnewPI @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @biosci.lbl.gov

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Cecilia Martinez-Gomez aims to figure out the chemical makeup of rare earth elements in M. extorquens AM1 at the subcellular level and connect those properties to specific genetic disruptions. Full portfolio: https://jointgeno.me/CMMFY26 @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social