Sanger Institute Sequences 50 Tardigrade Species as Tree of Life Project Tops 2,600 Genomes
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 4
Sanger Institute Sequences 50 Tardigrade Species as Tree of Life Project Tops 2,600 Genomes
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 4
Summary
About 50 tardigrade species are now in the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s freezer awaiting sequencing, extending its Tree of Life effort to the microscopic animals known for surviving heat, cold, desiccation and even space.
The push is possible because the institute can work from just 200 to 500 picograms of DNA from a single tardigrade, using a picogram-input protocol instead of pooling 1,000 animals as older methods required.
Tree of Life is now sequencing 48 genomes a week and has logged 2,600 so far, mostly from British and Irish species, a sharp acceleration from the years once needed to decode individual genomes.
Researchers say tardigrade genomes—about 30 times smaller than the human genome—could clarify relationships across roughly 1,500 known species and identify genes behind traits such as anhydrobiosis, with possible uses in vaccines, crops and biotechnology.
Is sequencing every species a wise investment, or a distraction from the urgent need to save their habitats from destruction?
With a £3B economic forecast, who will own the patents on discoveries from Earth’s shared genetic library?
How can tardigrade DNA, which protects from space vacuum, be engineered into crops to survive extreme drought on Earth?
50 Tardigrade Species Sequenced: Inside the Darwin Tree of Life’s Global Genomics Revolution
Overview
In July 2026, the Wellcome Sanger Institute achieved a major milestone by sequencing the genomes of 50 tardigrade species, building on its experience of producing high-quality genome assemblies for over 2000 species since 2019. This success was made possible by the institute’s development of advanced laboratory workflows and the use of innovative genomic technologies, such as ultra-low input protocols and Picogram input multimodal sequencing, which can handle the tiny amounts of DNA from small organisms like tardigrades. These efforts mark a crucial step in understanding tardigrades and are already yielding important scientific insights.