In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, the Wellcome Sanger Institute is going to decode the DNA of 25 UK species for the first time…and you can vote to decide 5 of them!

From 6th November – 8th December, a team of scientists and wildlife experts will each champion a species they think should have its entire DNA sequence decoded, competing for votes from students and the general public.

The Iconic Zone

The UK is home to many organisms that are recognisable to all. Sequencing the genome of an iconic species such as these would be great for public outreach and engagement in science. It’s also a chance for us to help make sure we continue to support well-loved species from becoming extinct.

The Species

 

St Kilda Wren | Championed by Anthony Caravaggi

‘Despite being one of the smallest birds in the UK, I have a very powerful voice.’

 

 

 

Scotch Thistle | Championed by Miranda Bane and team

‘I am a very tough plant so not much threatens me…except a scary human with a chemical spray!’

 

 

 

Hazel Dormouse | Championed by Bushra Abu-Helil

‘I am not even a mouse; more accurately a tiny squirrel.’

 

 

 

Emperor Dragonfly | Championed by Richard Badge

‘I can fly in any direction, hover and flip – millions of years before those pesky drones!’

 

 

 

Common Crane | Championed by Andrii Iudin

‘We care deeply about our children and do not fly ourselves until they have learned how to do it.’

 

 

 

Lesser-Spotted Catshark | Championed by Kyle Martin

‘Even the tiniest of electrical current produced by a beating heart can be enough for our sense of electroreception to give away the prey’s location.’

 

 

 

Brown Garden Snail | Championed by Angus Davison

‘Some snails stab love-darts into each other when mating.’

 

 

 

Barn Owl | Championed by Nicole Soranzo

‘Barn Owls screech – they never hoot (that’s Tawny Owls).’

 

 

The Schools

• Bishop Challoner Catholic College
• Broadgreen International School, A Technology College
• Carrick Academy
• Castlebrook High School
• Church Stretton School
• City College Plymouth
• Colton Hills Community School
• Ercall Wood Technology College
• Fairfield Primary School
• Great Yarmouth Charter Academy
• Gresham’s School
• Hammersmith Academy
• Harlaw Academy
• International school of toulouse
• Inver College
• Kent College (Canterbury)
• Kilkeel High School
• Leigh Academy Dartford
• MidKent College
• Presentation / De La Salle College
• Saint Thomas More Language College
• Sevilla International College San Francisco de Paula
• Shavington Academy
• Sidmouth Primary School
• Smithdon High School
• South Auckland Middle School
• St Bartholomew’s School
• St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Thornaby
• Sullivan Upper School, Prep Dept

 

Teachers: remember to book your Live Chat here