About ATLASea and Genome Sequencing
Who can submit a form to ATLASea?
Anyone can submit a form, provided the species of interest is distributed within the French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
What happens to the genome data after sequencing?
Genome assemblies and annotations are submitted to the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) and made publicly available upon completion. Check also the ATLASea Data Use Policy for further details. Anyone can submit a form, provided the species of interest is distributed within the French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
How much does genome sequencing cost?
Genome sequencing through ATLASea is fully funded for approved Ambassador species. ATLASea is a French research program supported by France 2030 over 8 years. Its mission is to sequence the genomes of 4,500 marine eukaryotic species observed in the French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
If your proposed species fulfills these criteria, ATLASea will cover all sequencing costs.
How long does it take to process a genome sequencing request?
After submitting the form, you can expect initial feedback within 4-6 weeks after submission. If your proposal is validated, the ATLASea team will contact you to coordinate the next steps (specimen collection, sampling, data gathering, transfer to the lab). Once the samples have arrived at the lab, sequencing time may vary depending on the species and other factors (quality of samples, protocols).
Will my genome be annotated with protein coding gene positions, repeats etc?
ATLAsea will endeavour to sequence transcripts from RNA extracted from different tissues or whole organisms depending on the situation, and use these to annotate protein coding genes. However, this usually takes place after the submission of the assembly to ENA. Sometimes no transcripts can be generated and no annotation will be provided. Repeats are not annotated by ATLASea at the moment.
Can I collaborate with ATLASea beyond submitting a form?
Yes! ATLASea welcomes long-term collaborations, especially for projects addressing specific research questions. Contact us to discuss opportunities: ambassadors@atlasea.fr
About Species Proposals
Can I propose a single species for sequencing?
Yes. You can propose 1 or more species using the form.
How many genome sequences can I request?
ATLASea aims to sequence the genomes of 4,500 marine eukaryotic species. As long as the species are marine and have been observed in the French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), you can submit as many species as needed for your project.
What if my project involves multiple species but no specific list?
If you have a larger project with a scientific question requiring discussion, please contact us: ambassadors@atlasea.fr
How are species proposals reviewed?
All submissions are reviewed by the ATLASea Species Selection Committee, which meets approximately once a month.
How can I check if a species has already been collected by ATLASea?
You can verify this in our Data Portal.
How can I check if a species has already been sequenced, either by ATLASea or other initiatives?
For ATLASea
Consult our Data Portal for a list of species already collected or sequenced by ATLASea.
For other initiatives
You can search global databases such as:
• NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) – Use the Assembly or Nucleotide databases to check for existing genome sequences.
• European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) – Search for genome assemblies of your species of interest.
• Marine Genomics Europe or other marine-focused databases.
• GoaT: https://goat.genomehubs.org/
If you need assistance, feel free to contact us at ambassadors@atlasea.fr.
Are there any restrictions on the types of species I can propose?
Species must be marine eukaryotes observed in the French EEZ. ATLASea prioritizes species of scientific, conservation, iconic, or economic importance.
How many specimens can be sequenced by ATLASea?
ATLASea produces reference genomes for only one specimen per species. If you have comments or questions about species delimitation, please contact us: ambassadors@atlasea.fr
About Sample Collection
What is the process for collecting samples?
Sample collection must follow ATLASea’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure consistency and quality. Here’s how to proceed:
General Sampling Recommendations: refer to the general sampling guidelines for best practices.
Taxa-Specific Protocols: depending on your taxa, consult the SOP and Log Sheet for Species Ambassadors for detailed instructions on processing specimens according to ATLASea standards.
Compliance: strict adherence to the protocols is mandatory. Before proceeding with sampling, ATLASea will contact you to confirm alignment with our standards.
Need help? For any questions, contact us at ambassadors@atlasea.fr.
My samples are frozen. Can you use them for sequencing?
Unfortunately, frozen samples or samples in ethanol or other preservatives are not eligible for sequencing under ATLASea’s standards. Our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) require fresh samples with standardized collection metadata to ensure high-quality genome sequencing. If you have frozen samples or samples in alcohol, we recommend contacting us at ambassadors@atlasea.fr to discuss potential exceptions or alternative solutions.
About Compliance and Ethics
Do I need to comply with specific regulations for sampling?
Yes. Compliance with national and international regulations for collecting specimens is required, as outlined in ATLASea’s Compliance & Ethics Statement.
Technical Support
I’m having trouble with the submission form. Who can I contact?
For technical issues, email communication@atlasea.fr with a description of the problem.