Building a genome reference database for Bulgarian biodiversity - highlights from the GenBul project

• DOI: 10.3897/aca.8.e151368
• Publication Date: 2025-02-25T15:56:55Z
• Authors: Stefaniya Kamenova; Salza Palpurina; Todor Karakiev; Georgi Kunev; Nadejda Apostolova; Snejina Popova; Albena Gjonova; Ilia Gjonov; Radost Angelova; Monica Pramatarova; Stanimira Deleva; Vladimir Vladimirov; Stoyan Beshkov; Rostislav Bekchiev; Rumyana Kostova; Ana Nahirnić
• Keywords: Bulgarian

With the advancement of high-throughput, cost-effective sequencing, application genomic approaches to biodiversity research is becoming increasingly accessible and inclusive. As availability a reference genomes database indispensable for genomics research, recent pan-European effort - European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) was established scale up generation high-quality eukaryotic biodiversity. Here, we report results from GENBUL project, funded by EU Horizon Europe BGE-ERGA Consortium support sampling hotspots in Bulgaria. Focusing on two key areas, Slavyanka Southern Pirin mountains (including Nature Reserve "Alibotush") Strandzha Park, successfully sampled 190 plant insect species, including several Bulgarian Balkan endemics. This represents first major broader-scale genome referencing Bulgaria makes an important contribution towards local capacity-building genomics. However, considering complexity workflows, standards metadata management, project also enabled pinpoint challenges, currently hindering deployment large-scale Based this experience, outline capacity, knowledge culture barriers faced scientists make recommendations international community mitigation actions, applicable other Southeast countries.