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 Cryptic Zone

Cryptic species are those that are other than they appear. They might mimic the behaviour of other species to avoid detection by their prey, or use camouflage to blend into their surroundings. Cryptic species might also have hidden differences, whilst seemingly looking the same.

The Species

 

Twisted-wing fly | Championed by Andrew Polaszek and team

‘The big question is, how the same genome can produce animals that look so different?’

 

 

 

Snake pipefish | Championed by Ines Goncalves

‘I’m an excellent father! I attach my babies to my belly and take care of them while they develop,’

 

Scottish Crossbill | Championed by Stuart Piertney

‘I’m the only bird species (actually the only vertebrate) that’s found in the UK and nowhere else!’

 

 

 

Orkney Vole | Championed by Kevin O’Dell

‘Compare our genome with that of our Belgian cousins and you’ll reveal many secrets about how animals adapt to harsh environments.’

 

 

 

Naval Shipworm | Championed by Nathan Kenny

‘Instead of hiding inside my shell, I actually use it for tunnelling into wood.’

 

 

Common Starfish | Championed by Maurice Elphick and team

 

‘I will help scientists discover how I lose and re-grow my arms, am strong enough to open mussels and can do all this without a brain.’

 

 

 

Brachiopod | Championed by Peter Balfe

‘I am a completely unique relic species, and share ancestors with most shellfish.’

 

 

 

Baltic Clam | Championed by Suzanne Williams and team

‘If poo from crabs that have eaten Baltic clams is placed near other Baltic clams, they will burrow more deeply to avoid being eaten!’

 

 

 

Abyssal Grenadier | Championed by Heather Ritchie and team

‘I am constantly swimming, hoping that I will stumble across the smell of something dead that has sunk to the bottom of the sea.’

 

 

The Schools

• Abingdon School
• Alford Academy
• Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College
• Central College Nottingham
• Clarkstown High School North
• Colchester County High School for Girls
• Corpus Christi Catholic High School
• Didcot Girls’ School
• Eastwood High School
• Eureka Secondary School
• Flegg High School
• Gosforth Academy
• Herne Bay High School
• Kings’ School
• Musselburgh Grammar School
• Okehampton College
• Penrice Academy
• Redborne Upper School and Community College
• Springside Primary School
• St Dominic’s High School, Belfast
• St James’ Church of England Primary Academy
• St Joseph’s College
• St. Mary’s C.B.S.
• Sussex Downs College
• The Brittons Academy Trust
• The Cheadle Academy
• The FitzWimarc School
• Waingels College
• Warrington Collegiate

 

Teachers: remember to book your Live Chat here