WITHERWARD GENOME RESEARCH PROJECT
Swith Witherward offers genome sequencing services free of charge to all private and public organizations as well as assists in the collection of specimens worldwide through the Witherward Genome Research Project (WGRP) in an effort to assemble a reference library composed of short, standardized gene sequence profiles (DNA barcodes) to enable the molecular identification of known species and facilitate the discovery of new ones. The WGRP aims to make this reference library comprehensive and accessible and relevant to the needs of both the research community and end users in the public and private sectors.The WGRP data release and resource sharing policy (as outlined below) seeks to accelerate the timely development of products that will benefit all sophont species by providing rapid access to the primary outputs from the WGRP: DNA sequences associated with high quality meta-data including taxonomic assignments.
The working philosophy of the WGRP is full release of data within 10 months of a sequence being produced. There is the expectation that this 10-month time period will be reduced as the project progresses, and from the outset more rapid data release is encouraged whenever practical.
Phase I will involve the quarterly release of all generated sequence data and high level taxonomic information. This early release is intended to liberate enough information to be useful to other researchers and to monitor progress in the growth of barcode records for each WGRP Working Group. It will be performed automatically and involve data that can be released following computerized quality checks and generation of Barcode Index Numbers (BINs; for animals). In detail, the following data will be released and made publicly available in ATWGRP in Phase I (within three months of the sequence generation):
The WRP also provides scientific teams to nations who do not have the financial means or knowledge necessary to accurately collect and process plant and animal specimens. All genome sequencing work is carried out in the nation and no samples are removed or transported outside of a nation’s borders. Copies of records are left with the nation’s government and data is directly uploaded to the ATWGRP database.
The Swith Witherward Academy of Science also offers services to off-world nations and their colonies. The WGRP is capable of operations in a variety of environments that would normally not be suitable for humans.
We ask that host nations provide our teams with basic hospitality services and a small area for our labs. Collection teams can be as small as one researcher or encompass a large team of over thirty people depending upon the difficulty of collection involved. We provide our own equipment and transportation.
All living specimens are kept their natural environment unless otherwise requested.
Services offered free of charge
Specimen Collection and Identification
Genome Sequencing
Data Processing
Public Education and Awareness Programs
Services offered for a nominal fee
Species Cloning
Endangered Species Cloning
Extinct Species Cloning
Zoological Preservation Services - within nation
Zoological Preservation Services - species breeding and exchange program
APPLICATION
The working philosophy of the WGRP is full release of data within 10 months of a sequence being produced. There is the expectation that this 10-month time period will be reduced as the project progresses, and from the outset more rapid data release is encouraged whenever practical.
Phase I will involve the quarterly release of all generated sequence data and high level taxonomic information. This early release is intended to liberate enough information to be useful to other researchers and to monitor progress in the growth of barcode records for each WGRP Working Group. It will be performed automatically and involve data that can be released following computerized quality checks and generation of Barcode Index Numbers (BINs; for animals). In detail, the following data will be released and made publicly available in ATWGRP in Phase I (within three months of the sequence generation):
- Location information: GPS coordinates, elevation/depth, province/state, exact site of collection, and individuals credited for collecting the specimen
- Temporal information: date of sample collection
- Taxonomic information: order-level assignment with BIN for animals, genus name for plants
- Sequence information: quality assessed, assembled and curated barcode sequence, trace files, primers used, and the centre that carried out sequencing
- Database identifiers: ATWGRP processed and specimen identifiers (voucher number, depository, and collection code)
The WRP also provides scientific teams to nations who do not have the financial means or knowledge necessary to accurately collect and process plant and animal specimens. All genome sequencing work is carried out in the nation and no samples are removed or transported outside of a nation’s borders. Copies of records are left with the nation’s government and data is directly uploaded to the ATWGRP database.
The Swith Witherward Academy of Science also offers services to off-world nations and their colonies. The WGRP is capable of operations in a variety of environments that would normally not be suitable for humans.
We ask that host nations provide our teams with basic hospitality services and a small area for our labs. Collection teams can be as small as one researcher or encompass a large team of over thirty people depending upon the difficulty of collection involved. We provide our own equipment and transportation.
All living specimens are kept their natural environment unless otherwise requested.
Services offered free of charge
Specimen Collection and Identification
Genome Sequencing
Data Processing
Public Education and Awareness Programs
Services offered for a nominal fee
Species Cloning
Endangered Species Cloning
Extinct Species Cloning
Zoological Preservation Services - within nation
Zoological Preservation Services - species breeding and exchange program
APPLICATION
The WGRP reserves the right to refuse or cease services to any nation at any time at our discretion.