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Click below to join the zones and ASK and VOTE for your favourite species…
Iconic Zone
The Wellcome Sanger Institute is one of the world’s leading genomics research centres. In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, the Institute is going to decode the DNA of 25 UK species for the first time…and you can vote to decide 5 of them!
A hibernating hazel dormouse | Image: Zoë Helene Kindermann
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.
This is the Iconic Zone, with eight species up for the vote. 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, like the endangered hazel dormouse.
As well as the dormouse, you’ll find out about species like the emperor dragonfly, who you might spot during the summer months, the brown garden snail, which you might find outside your house and the distinctive barn owl native to the UK countryside.