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Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
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Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
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Long read, high-coverage reference genome of the Nymphalid butterfly Catonephele acontius (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae).

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Light Sheet-based Fluorescence Microscopy of Living or Fixed and Stained Tribolium castaneum Embryos
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Project Psyche: reference genomes for all Lepidoptera in Europe.

Charlotte J Wright1, Niklas Wahlberg2, Roger Vila3

  • 1Tree of Life Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|November 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Project Psyche is generating chromosome-level reference genomes for European butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). This biodiversity genomics initiative provides an open-access dataset to advance evolutionary and ecological research.

Keywords:
biodiversitybutterfliesconservationevolutionmothsreference genomes

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology
  • Conservation Biology

Background:

  • The Lepidoptera order, comprising butterflies and moths, represents a significant portion of European biodiversity.
  • Understanding the genomic landscape of Lepidoptera is crucial for ecological and evolutionary studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a comprehensive, chromosome-level reference genome dataset for all ~11,000 European Lepidoptera species.
  • To create a decentralized network for efficient genome generation and data analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Implementing standardized protocols for sample collection, DNA extraction, and high-throughput sequencing.
  • Establishing a collaborative framework involving multiple international hubs for data generation and analysis.
  • Utilizing advanced sequencing technologies to achieve chromosome-level genome assemblies.

Main Results:

  • Over 1000 Lepidoptera species have already been sequenced, positioning the order at the forefront of biodiversity genomics.
  • Development of a decentralized network of collection and sequencing hubs enabling rapid project progress.
  • Creation of standardized protocols for sampling, sequencing, and data analysis.

Conclusions:

  • The open-access Lepidoptera genome catalogue will significantly enhance understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes.
  • This genomic resource will be invaluable for informing conservation strategies and managing pest and invasive species.
  • The project highlights the potential of large-scale biodiversity genomics initiatives to drive scientific discovery.