Genome size estimates for birds and mammals -- December 20th, 2006

The Gregory Lab at the University of Guelph is carrying out large-scale studies of genome size diversity in birds and mammals, and invites submission of samples from species of particular interest that will be assessed for genome size free of charge. For more details and contact information, please see http://www.genomesize.com/gregorylab/protocols/.

(We are also still accepting specimens of Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Odonata).

Database formally published -- November 7th, 2006

The Animal Genome Size Database, along with the Plant DNA C-values Database and the Fungal Genome Size Database, has now been formally published. A description of Release 2.0 of the database will appear in the next databasing issue of Nucleic Acids Research. The full reference to the article is:

Gregory, T.R., J.A. Nicol, H.Tamm, B. Kullman, K. Kullman, I.J. Leitch, B.G. Murray, D.F. Kapraun, J. Greilhuber, and M.D. Bennett (2006). Eukaryotic genome size databases. Nucleic Acids Research; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkl828.

The article is open access, and can be downloaded here.

Free genome size estimates for certain insect orders -- July 7th, 2006

The Gregory Lab at the University of Guelph is currently carrying out studies of genome size diversity in the insect orders Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps), Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). We would be happy to conduct genome size estimates using Feulgen image analysis densitometry (see Hardie et al. 2002, J. Histochem. Cytochem. 50: 735-749) free of charge on samples sent by collaborators. The ideal material to send is sperm air-dried on microscope slides, but for some groups (e.g., of Hymenoptera from which males are unavailable) it may be possible to send live specimens for flow cytometry. If you work on any of these groups of insects and would like to have genome size data for your species of interest, please contact rgregory@genomesize.com for details on sample preparation and shipping.

Three PhD positions available (Canadian students only) -- June 24th, 2006

Three NSERC-funded PhD positions are currently available to carry out a joint DNA barcoding-genome size project in the low Arctic of Canada (specifically, Churchill, MB). One of these positions will be held in the Gregory Lab, and will examine patterns of genome size and ploidy variation in a wide range of animals from the low Arctic and temperate regions. A second position will be held in the Hebert Lab at the University of Guelph and will focus on DNA barcoding of animals in Churchill, while the third will be held in the Saunders Lab at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, NB and will involve both DNA barcoding and genome size analyses of algae. The first field work period will take place in August, 2006, so time is very much of the essence. Please note that due to the nature of the research project, these positions are open to Canadian students only. For more information about a particular position, please visit the relevant lab website and contact the potential advisor directly.

Minor referencing error has been corrected -- June 1st, 2006

• The referencing error turned out to be very minor in scope but a major task to fix. Thanks to Paola Pierossi of the Gregory Lab for double checking all of the nearly 6000 entries! In any case, only a few references were in error, and these have since been corrected.

Major update to database -- May 7th, 2006

• New records have been added for about 200 species, mostly vertebrates but also some nematodes and other invertebrates. This brings the total to over 4,200 species overall. Please remember to let us know about any new publications that contain genome sizes for animals so they can be made accessible through the database.

Linkout features added -- February 25th, 2006

• We have added the first layer of linkout capabilities to the database. From the individual species records, you can now access links to other databases and sources of information, including:
  • NCBI Taxonomy Browser
  • Google Images | Altavista | Yahoo
  • ITIS
  • Fishbase (for fishes only, of course)
• More are planned and will be added in due course. If you run or know of a database that you think should be outlinked from our records, please let us know about it.

Complete site redesign -- December 24th, 2005

• The database is approaching its five-year anniversary, and in keeping with this it has been completely redesigned and launched as Release 2.0. Exciting new features include vastly improved browsing and search functions, realtime summary statistics, data download capabilities, and a discussion forum.
• The site has been redesigned by James Nicol of Glossopteris.
• Your comments (especially positive ones!) about the new database are welcome, which you can send using the contact info in the link at the top right of the page, or better yet by joining and participating in the new discussion forum.

The Evolution of the Genome goes to a second printing -- December 18th, 2005

• After less than a year (and despite not yet having been reviewed in the major journals), The Evolution of the Genome is going to a second printing! If you already picked up your copy, thank you! If not, you can find out more here.

Major update to database -- February 18th, 2005

• A few hundred new estimates added for fishes, as well as for a few birds.
• Several mollusc, insect, and cnidarian values added.

The Evolution of the Genome released -- December 22nd, 2004

Click here for more information.

Major update to database -- October 15th, 2003

• Many new values added for fishes, as well as a few birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Many new values added for insects (mostly moths) and spiders.
• A few values added for nematodes, rotifers, and molluscs.
• Added the Cell Size Database, including a large compilation of vertebrate red blood cell size data.

Major update to database -- October 17th, 2002

• The database now includes information for each measurement on the method used, the cell types analyzed, and the standards used to calculate genome size.
• Taxonomy and common names have been updated for all groups.
• Chromosome number data have been updated for all vertebrate groups.
• Some new C-value estimates have been added for various groups, including both previously overlooked published values and some unpublished estimates by several authors.
• The reference list has been updated.