A Global Digital DNA Library
From the largest whale to the smallest yeast, the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) has set an audacious goal: to sequence the genomes of every known eukaryotic species by 2035. So far, just 1% of the planet’s 1.67 million identified plants, animals, fungi, and protists have been genetically mapped. By completing the “digital library of life,” scientists hope to safeguard biodiversity, improve food security, advance medicine and agriculture, and respond more effectively to climate change and pandemics.
Early Progress and Discoveries
Since launching global sequencing in 2020, the project has accelerated dramatically. By the end of 2024, affiliated teams had published 1,667 genomes across more than 500 families and deposited nearly 1,800 additional genomes. These datasets have already revealed how species adapt and evolve—such as Arctic reindeer adjusting to polar environments and the way butterfly chromosomes change over time. Tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) have also expanded, enabling researchers to detect new life forms through the traces they leave in their surroundings.
The Scale of the Challenge
EBP’s next stage, Phase II, plans to sequence 150,000 species over four years—about half of all known genera. Meeting this target means sequencing 3,000 new genomes per month, more than ten times faster than today’s rate. The effort will prioritize species vital to ecosystem health, food and medicine, conservation, and Indigenous communities. Costs are estimated at $1.1 billion for this phase and $4.42 billion to map all known species, a figure smaller than the Human Genome Project or the James Webb Space Telescope.
Innovation and Equity
To meet its goals, EBP is deploying innovations such as “genome labs in a box,” mobile shipping container facilities that allow local and Indigenous researchers to carry out sequencing on-site. This not only reduces environmental impact but ensures that scientists in biodiversity-rich regions of the Global South lead the work on their own ecosystems. For many, it represents a shift in power: moving genomics from elite labs in wealthy nations to community-driven research that builds local expertise and resilience.
A Biological Moonshot
The Earth BioGenome Project is often described as a “moonshot” for biology. Like mapping the cosmos, decoding the genetic blueprints of life has profound implications for science and humanity. By creating a global, inclusive, and accessible record of Earth’s biodiversity, the project hopes to preserve life’s genetic heritage before it is lost to extinction.