{
  "id": 9014573,
  "title": "Sequencing genomes from museum collections could transform scientific inquiry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/sequencing-genomes-from-museum-collections-could-transform-scientific",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-21T21:20:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-sequencing-genomes-museum-scientific-inquiry.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Natural history collections house more than a billion specimens, encompassing extinct species, historical populations, and ecosystems that have changed significantly. While these specimens have been invaluable for scientific study, their genetic data remains largely untapped. A new study led by researchers from the Natural History Museum proposes that these institutions should spearhead the sequencing of their collections, arguing that such an approach could revolutionize scientific inquiry. Currently, only 0.2% of known animals and plants have had their whole genomes sequenced, with a significant bias toward vertebrates and economically valuable species. By systematically sequencing closely related species, researchers could uncover genetic insights about previously overlooked organisms, offering a comprehensive understanding of branches of the tree of life. This broader genetic perspective would enable the detection of patterns unattainable from single genomes alone. For instance, recent projects utilizing densely sampled genomes have yielded groundbreaking insights into issues such as malaria evolution and the development of climate-resilient potatoes. Furthermore, a database linking genetic data to physical characteristics, locations, and time periods across diverse species would possess unprecedented applications in conservation, biotechnology, and other fields. Such a resource would be particularly beneficial for training machine learning algorithms, facilitating the discovery of hidden trends and predictions about biodiversity amidst ongoing biodiversity and climate crises. Dr. Paschalia Kapli, the paper's lead author and research leader in collection-based genomics at the Natural History Museum, emphasizes that natural history collections have predominantly been perceived as mere sources of specimens rather than active participants in sequencing initiatives. By placing these collections and taxonomic expertise at the forefront of sequencing efforts, researchers can not only shed light on overlooked species but also make substantial progress in understanding the natural world. The discoveries stemming from this approach could contribute to halting extinctions, enhancing food security, and uncovering new medicines in the future.",
  "summary": "Natural history collections around the world collectively hold more than 1 billion specimens, spanning a wide variety of times and places. These include species that are extinct or come from areas now transformed beyond recognition, providing data that cannot be found anywhere else.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}