Obtaining reference genomes of emblematic and endangered Ecuadorian species

Abstract Genome sequencing has become increasingly common, providing valuable insights into species’ genetic makeup and fitness. The advent of next-generation sequencing has made this technology more accessible in terms of costs and speed. However, the majority of the world's biodiversity is found in developing countries, where historically access to genomic technologies has been limited. The research projects mentioned here aim to obtain high-quality reference genomes of emblematic and endangered species in our highly biodiverse country, Ecuador. As part of our research, we have successfully obtained a high-quality reference genome for mortiño, an emblematic Andean species, which will help uncover the genetic mechanisms responsible for its unique traits and adaptations to high altitudes. Our team is also part of the ORG.one initiative, which seeks to obtain reference genomes for endangered species using Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Our primary focus has been on primates, and we have already obtained the reference genome for the brown-headed spider monkey, Ateles fusciceps fusciceps. We are currently working on the white-bellied spider monkey, Ateles belzebuth, and the Ecuadorian capuchin, Cebus aequatorialis. Additionally, we have expanded our endeavor to include other endangered species, such as the glass frog, Centrolene buckleyi, Orcés' blue whiptail, Holcosus orcesi, and a plant endemic to the Galapagos Islands, Scalesia gordilloi. By sequencing these genomes, we aim to provide researchers with valuable insights into population genetics, ultimately aiding conservation and management efforts for these vulnerable species. Biography Gabriela Pozo obtained her Master's degree in Biotechnology and Genomics from Rutgers University as a Fulbright scholar. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco de Quito, Ecudaor, where she works in the biotechnology area. Gabriela is also a researcher at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory. Her research focuses on aspects such as genetic diversity, population structure of animal and plant species, metagenomics, and genomics. She has contributed as a co-author to various scientific publications related to her research interests. She is part of the ORG.one initiative, which aims to sequence complete genomes of critically endangered species.