Comparative genomics

The release of the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) human genome sequence marks a milestone for human genomics research and holds promise of complete genomes for evolutionary genomic studies. Here we describe the advances that this new human genome assembly represents and explore the potential insights that the complete genome sequence could bring to evolutionary genomics. We also discuss the potential challenges to be faced in applying this new sequencing strategy to a broad spectrum of extant species.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for near real-time analysis and dissemination of pathogen genomic data. In this comment, the authors describe how Australia has developed and rolled out its SARS-CoV-2 genomics platform, AusTrakka, and used it to support public health action.

The Vertebrate Genomes Project, which aims to produce high-quality reference genomes for all 71,657 living and named vertebrate species, reports the generation of high-quality genome assemblies for the first 16 species and describes the biological findings that these genomes have informed.

Two new studies report the assembled genomes of the Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri) and the African lungfish (Protopterus annectens), which provide insights into the water-to-land transition.