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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 3h

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Ocean fungi produce enzymes that break down hard-to-degrade polymers. Xuefeng (Nick) Peng will use biodesign and multi-omics to test new GH7 enzymes and map how they convert polymers into useful sugars. More: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Community Science Program (FY26)

Congratulations

to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

JGI

Xuefeng (Nick) Peng

Ohio State University

Multi-omics characterization of fungal GH7 cellulases for sustainable bioconversion processes

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 02/10/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Chris Rinke will explore microbes as an alternative method for extracting rare earth elements. Uncovering the microbial processes involved could help lay a foundation for future biological extraction methods. Full Portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Critical Minerals & Materials (FY26)

Congratulations

to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

MOLECULAR FOUNDRY

JGI

JOINT GENOME INSTITUTE

Christian Rinke

University of Innsbruck (Austria)

Harnessing the Landfill Microbiome: Multi-Omics Detection and Nanoscale Exploration of Bioleaching targeting Rare Earth Elements

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 29/09/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Microbes can boost energy efficiency through electron transfer bifurcation. Anne-Frances Miller will ID bifurcation-capable electron transfer flavoproteins by testing selected ETFs using gene synthesis @ukresearch.bsky.social More: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Community Science Program (FY26)

Congratulations

to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

JGI

Anne-Frances Miller

University of Kentucky

Electron transfer flavoproteins from diverse environments and metabolic niches, filling data gaps to enable a phylogenetic tree

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 28/09/2026

📣 JGI Releases New Strategic Plan: As AI and advanced computing change what's possible in biology, the JGI is entering a new chapter. "AI-Driven Genomics to Accelerate Biological Discovery" charts a course for the future. Learn more: jointgeno.me/stratplanrelease @biosci.lbl.gov

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 25/09/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Claire Remacle is investigating how two key proteins — an enzyme and a copper carrier — work together in photosynthetic organisms. Full Portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 24/09/2026

We provide genomic capabilities, large-scale data & professional expertise to researchers advancing energy & infrastructure security. 🧬Opportunities: jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/proposals 🧬Resources: jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/offerings-… 🧬Mission: jgi.doe.gov/mission

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 23/09/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Noncanonical cofactors can cut biomanufacturing costs but need engineered enzymes. Han Li will redesign MDR and formate dehydrogenase enzymes to work in reaction cascades with these cofactors. @UCIEngineering More: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Announcement slide congratulating Han Li of the University of California, Irvine, for a CSP Functional Genomics project, with a laboratory portrait and DNA graphic.

Transcribed Text:

Community Science Program (FY26)

Congratulations

to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

JGI

Han Li

University of California, Irvine

High-throughput elucidation and enhancement of latent biomimetic cofactor utilization by enzymes

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 21/09/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Serpentine rhizobia have evolved nickel resistance. @stephaniesimone.bsky.social studies nano-scale mechanisms of nickel absorption, movement and storage — contributing to critical mineral bio-recovery efforts. @wsupress.bsky.social More: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 18/09/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Many high-value chemicals can be made by microbes, but finding the right enzymes is a bottleneck. Seung Hwan (Allen) Lee will screen for thiolase variants that help build better pathways to nylon precursors. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Community Science Program (FY26)

Congratulations

to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

JGI

Seung Hwan (Allen) Lee

University of Minnesota

Thiolase-based C-C elongation pathways for biomanufacturing

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 17/09/2026

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY for early-bird rates to our VEGA symposium in Berkeley, CA this November. 🖥️ 🧬 🦠 See below for keynote speakers; More information at jointgeno.me/VEGA

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 16/09/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Sergey Nuzhdin and student Leah Ferger will study how genetic differences in giant kelp affect cell-wall binding of rare earth elements, informing bio-inspired strategies for critical mineral recovery. @USCDornsife Full Portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 15/09/2026

In a recent episode of Genome Insider, @jotlovell.bsky.social discussed why a single reference genome for Sorghum proved insufficient, and the value of a pangenome to represent the crop's full genetic diversity: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/podcasts/s… 🖥️ 🧬 🌱

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 14/09/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Speciality chemicals like non-standard amino acids could be made more efficiently in microbes with hardier enzymes. @kunjapur.bsky.social will use biodesign to make pathway enzymes more thermostable. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Community Science Program announcement congratulating Aditya Kunjapur of the University of Delaware, with his portrait, project title, and a stylized DNA graphic.

Transcribed Text:

Community Science Program (FY26)

Congratulations

to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

JGI

Aditya Kunjapur

University of Delaware

Engineering thermostability of aldehyde and amine modifying enzymes for orthogonality in lysates of mesophiles

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 11/09/2026

The Primer goes out every other month and includes updates on user research, upcoming events, proposal recipients and other opportunities. Stay in touch! Sign up at jointgeno.me/newsletter

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 10/09/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: @merchant-lab.bsky.social will study ab protein's role in zinc assimilation, then modify it to bind other critical metals in algal cells & test how well it removes them from the growth medium. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26 @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

Sabeeha Merchant
University of California, Berkeley
Structural and Functional Properties of a Potential Cell Surface Metal-Binding Protein in the Green Alga Auxenochlorella UTEX 250-A

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 08/09/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Bacteriophages reshape plant-associated bacteria by reprogramming gene expression. @michhulin.bsky.social will use DAP-seq to map phage transcription factor binding in Pseudomonas and link it to plant traits. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations
to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Michelle Hulin
Michigan State University
Characterizing prophage-encoded transcription factors in Pseudomonas

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 03/09/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Cecilia Martinez-Gomez aims to figure out the chemical makeup of rare earth elements in M. extorquens AM1 at the subcellular level and connect those properties to specific genetic disruptions. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26 @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

Congratulations
to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

N. Cecilia Martinez-Gomez
University of California, Berkeley
Decoding Biogenic REE Mineralization in M. extorquens AM1 for Scalable Critical Metal Recovery

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 02/09/2026

A Lake Mendota time series found invasive zooplankton prompted giant viruses to increase replication rates while maintaining protective DNA mechanisms—suggesting viral-like capability + bacterial-like stability More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-st…

Digital mockup of a giant virus from JGI Genome Portal (credit: Ella Maru Studio)

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 01/09/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Soil fungi make natural products shaped by life stage and neighboring microbes. Andreas Guerrero will use multiomics to map genes and metabolites behind natural-product production in understudied Mucoromycota fungi. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations
to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Andreas Guerrero
Oregon State University
Characterizing functional effects and genomic basis of secondary metabolism in Mucoromycota spore germlings

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 28/08/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: @jjmarlow.bsky.social will use microbial assemblages from a hypersaline environment—the Basque Lakes—to evaluate bioleaching rates, selectivity and metabolic mechanisms using a suite of omics and microscopy tools. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

Jeffrey Marlow
Boston University
Bioleaching of critical minerals from high economic interest ore sources by a halophilic consortia

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 27/08/2026

In the latest episode of Genome Insider, Nadia Shakoor of @danforthcenter.bsky.social walks us through growing sorghum from around the world — and the automated phenotyping that made its pangenome possible: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/podcasts/spectrum-sorghum @biosci.lbl.gov

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 26/08/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Rare earth elements are valuable but mostly studied in oxygen-loving microbes. Daniel S. Gregoire will use RNA-seq and metabolomics to identify how bacteria use REEs under low-oxygen and no-oxygen conditions. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Community Science Program (FY26)

Congratulations to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Daniel S. Gregoire Carleton University Breathing new life into rare earth element metabolism

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 25/08/2026

📣 FUNGAL COMMUNITY🍄 New genomes uploaded to Mycocosm this summer include: ✔️ Hanseniaspora uvarum NRRL Y-1614 ✔️ Semicentenialea rex gs25 v1.0 ✔️ Amoeboaphelidium occidentale KS120 v1.0 ✔️ Neocallimastix sp FC1 v1.0 ✔️ Boletus sp. 2018DF043 v1.0 More at mycocosm.jgi.doe.gov @biosci.lbl.gov

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 24/08/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Cheryl Kerfeld is developing biomaterials from the shells of self-assembling protein nanoreactors in bacteria, the structures then used for a platform to capture critical materials and rare earth elements. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

Cheryl Kerfeld
Michigan State University/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Bacterial microcompartment-based biomaterials for capture of CMMs and REEs

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 21/08/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Jane Fudyma will pair real-time VOC flux measurements with metatranscriptomics to identify the active genes and pathways behind VOC cycling, revealing the microbial drivers of desert VOC gases. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations
to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Jane Fudyma
University of Arizona

Integrating soil VOC fluxes and metatranscriptomics to define microbial functional traits across plant-driven nutrient and moisture gradients in arid soils.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 19/08/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Certain Arabidopsis halleri populations can hyperaccumulate zinc in their leaves. For insights on regulatory pathways and processes, Marc Hanikenne at the University of Liege will explore why. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Critical Minerals & Materials (FY26)
Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!
Marc Hanikenne
University of Liege (Belgium)
Genomic and metabolic basis of divergent zinc hyperaccumulation strategies in Arabidopsis halleri.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 17/08/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Kathryn Fixen will use JGI-supported screening to identify which ferredoxins pair with nitrogenase — and the rules that govern successful nitrogen fixation. 🖥️🧬 Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations
to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Kathryn Fixen
University of Minnesota
Using a bacterial chassis for high throughput identification of ferredoxins that support nitrogen fixation.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 14/08/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Steven Hallam aims to engineer living materials that combine fungal networks and bacteria to capture and recover valuable metals from low-grade ores and mine waste streams. @science.ubc.ca Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

Steven Hallam
University of British Columbia (Canada)
Mechanistic basis for metallo-biological surface interactions within engineered living materials

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 13/08/2026

📣 New Investigator proposals are due Sept. 8! Here, @maggiesogin.bsky.social of @ucmerced.bsky.social talks about how the program has benefited research at her lab. 🖥️🧬 Interested in applying? More info: jointgeno.me/CSPnewPI @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @biosci.lbl.gov

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 12/08/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Fluorine compounds resist biological breakdown — Sheel Dodani will use genomics, AI and lab tests to find and validate microbial defluorinase enzymes for biotech. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Sheel C. Dodani
University of Texas, Dallas
Machine learning-guided discovery of microbial enzymes for carbon-fluorine bond chemistry.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 10/08/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Anna Glaesener will study algal strains from acidic mining sites to uncover evolutionary adaptations that enable survival where copper solubility is maximized & toxicity is minimized. @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!
Anne Glaesener
University of California, Berkeley
Exploring the Mechanisms of Copper Homeostasis in Acidophilic Algae

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 07/08/2026

📣 Early Bird registration for our VEGA Symposium closes Sept. 19! Join us Nov. 18–19 to discuss characterizing uncultivated viral diversity and its role in biotech and industrial applications. 🖥️🧬🦠 More info: jointgeno.me/VEGA

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 06/08/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: E. coli has an “unknome” of poorly understood genes — many only appear in unusual lab environments. Markus Covert will use multi-omics to map unknown gene functions in E. coli. @bioe-stanford.bsky.social Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations
to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Markus Covert
Stanford University

E. coli Odyssey: Characterizing microbial behavior across a range of environments to predict and discover unknown gene function.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 05/08/2026

In the latest episode of Genome Insider, @simrouxvirus.bsky.social talks about his work on mobile genetic elements — and a recent study that was the subject of the July cover for @natmicrobiol.nature.com Find the full episode here: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/podcasts/mobilome-mire @biosci.lbl.gov

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 04/08/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: Dawn Chiniquy is using high-throughput bacterial genetics & targeted genome engineering to study how plant-associated bacteria capture and tolerate rare earth elements, aiding recovery strategies. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Congratulations
to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

Dawn Chiniquy
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Quantifying Bacterial Rare-Earth Uptake To Enable
Bio-Based Critical-Mineral Capture

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 31/07/2026

From our FY26 Functional Genomics call: Seagrass meadows shelter marine life and stabilize coasts, but seed survival is threatened by Phytophthora. Hanin Alzubaidy uses EcoFABs and multi-omics to reveal how seed bacteria suppress disease. Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/FGFY26

Congratulations
to our CSP Functional Genomics Call recipients!

Hanin Alzubaidy
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research
Kiel

Functional genomics of microbiome-enabled suppression of
Phytophthora infection in Zostera marina

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 30/07/2026

Happy National Intern Day to our amazing 2026 interns! We aim to inspire the pursuit of STEM careers through hands-on learning opportunities at the JGI. Learn more about our workforce development efforts: jgi.doe.gov/work-with-us/educational-partnerships @berkeleylab.lbl.gov @biosci.lbl.gov

A group of 17 individuals stands in front of a mural depicting scientific themes, holding long white tubes. The mural features illustrations of laboratory glassware and DNA.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 29/07/2026

The JGI is involved in efforts to integrate data to support new research questions that span domains. We also work with partners to build infrastructure in support of new analysis techniques. Learn more about our portals and data ecosystem: jointgeno.me/Data

Information about the JGI's AI-centric facility supporting data life cycles, with a circular graphic emphasizing "Enabling AI" and a list of resources including Data Portal, GOLD, IMG/M, MycoCosm, PhycoCosm, Phytozome 13, and SMC.

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 28/07/2026

From our FY26 joint CMM call: From our FY26 joint CMM call: Romy Chakraborty will study how plants and synthetic bacteria mobilize and absorb critical minerals, defining the microbiome’s role in solubility and accumulation. @berkeleylab.lbl.gov Full portfolio: jointgeno.me/CMMFY26

Congratulations to our 2026 Critical Minerals & Materials call recipients!

Romy Chakraborty
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Phyto-Microbial Critical Mineral Recovery: Moving From Isolate Genomic Potential to Rhizosphere Transcriptomic Realization

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 13/07/2026

Straight from the headlines! Learn more about the July cover story from @natmicrobiol.nature.com on the latest episode of our #GenomeInsider podcast — "The Mobilome in the Mire" 🦠 Find it here: jgi.doe.gov/user-science... @simrouxvirus.bsky.social @scbagby.bsky.social @biosci.lbl.gov

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 08/07/2026

The Primer goes out every other month and includes updates on user research, upcoming events, proposal recipients and other opportunities. Stay in touch! Sign up at jointgeno.me/newsletter

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 06/07/2026

Time is running out! Don't miss the JGI's Microbial Genomics & Metagenomics Workshop at the Fisabio Summer School in Spain July 20–24. Register here (Module 4): redcap.fisabio.san.gva.es/surveys/?…

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 25/06/2026

One more reason to watch the World Cup ⚽: In 2022, JGI User @szintri.bsky.social and his team looked at grasses for clues about crop resilience — and spotted their study species on stadium pitches! Hear their story: jointgeno.me/s04e01

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 18/06/2026

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 15/06/2026

Don't miss the JGI's Microbial Genomics & Metagenomics Workshop at the Fisabio Summer School in Spain July 20–24. Register here (Module 4): redcap.fisabio.san.gva.es/surveys/?…

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 05/06/2026

From our FY26 New Investigators: @zepernickbn.bsky.social will use DNA, RNA and metabolite profiles to connect environmental change to microbial partnerships. @tolarchaeota.bsky.social @uncw-cms.bsky.social More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Community Science Program New Investigator (FY26) Congratulations to our 2026 CSP New Investigator recipients! Brittany N. Zepernick University of North Carolina, Wilmington Algal-microbial interactions that constrain biogeochemical cycling across a dynamic, coastal continuum

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 03/06/2026

From our FY26 New Investigators: By comparing sediment and vegetation effects at Great Meadows Marsh, Jing Yuan will clarify how microbial functions shape marsh health and long-term resilience. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Community Science Program New Investigator (FY26)
Congratulations to our 2026 CSP New Investigator recipients!
Jing Yuan
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Exploring microbial responses to marsh restoration for coastal wetland health

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 01/06/2026

From our FY26 New Investigators: Susanne Wilken will sequence chrysophyte genomes to explain how these algae use light and prey to grow, supporting efforts to optimize strains for bioenergy. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Community Science Program New Investigator (FY26) Congratulations to our 2026 CSP New Investigator recipients! JGI Susanne Wilken University of Amsterdam Resolving functional diversity among mixotrophic chrysophytes

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 29/05/2026

From our FY26 New Investigators: By testing kelp across temperatures and life stages, @brookeweigel.bsky.social will identify gene pathways linked to performance and resilience. @stanforddoerr.bsky.social More: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Community Science Program New Investigator (FY26)
Congratulations to our 2026 CSP New Investigator recipients!
Brooke Weigel
Stanford University
Determining the molecular basis of thermal tolerance across the life cycle of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)

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Joint Genome Institute @jgi.doe.gov · 28/05/2026

From our FY26 New Investigators: Chin Chin Too will characterize peatland microbial communities across pristine and burnt conditions, linking gene profiles to methane production and consumption. Full portfolio: jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio

Community Science Program New Investigator (FY26) Congratulations to our 2026 CSP New Investigator recipients! Chin Chin Too University of Vienna Impacts of warming on methane cycling in tropical and subarctic peatlands

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