Happy our office can support bioDIGS consortium and their work on unearthing soil biodiversity through collaborative genomic research and education Nat Genet 2026 Jan;58(1):3-8. doi: 10.1038/s41588-025-02442-5

The ground you walk on is more alive than you think. Scientists just discovered 1,000 new species of bacteria and microbes hiding in US soil — and we've barely scratched the surface. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are mapping America's soil microbiome across 40 sites, using cutting-edge DNA sequencing to decode what's been called "microbial dark matter." Here's the mind-blowing part: more than half of all life on Earth lives in soil, yet most of it remains completely unknown to science. These invisible beings aren't just background noise. They're the architects of: 🌿 Plant health & growth 🌍 Ecosystem balance 💪 Potentially even human health When the soil thrives, life thrives. Understanding what lives beneath our feet is the first step to protecting it, and protecting ourselves. The future truly does grow from the ground up. Source: The BioDIGS Consortium., Alberts, T., Albritton, C.F. et al. Unearthing soil biodiversity through collaborative genomic research and education. Nat Genet 58, 3–8 (2026). doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-0…

In @NatureGenet: As part of the BioDIGS project, @mike_schatz and colleagues are broadening pathways into genetics and data science, engaging students from diverse institutions nationwide to study links between soil biodiversity and health. engineering.jhu.edu/news/sci…

Another highlight are all the technology workshops today for short and long read sequencing and beyond. Im especially excited for the @PacBio workshop, who has been very generous supporting BioDIGS (bigdigs.org). plan.core-apps.com/pag32/eve…

Now up is Mentewab Ayalew BioDIGS—Filling the gaps in soil biodiversity through an inclusive research and education community biodigs.org/ #biodata24

We’re hiring! Build our next (mini)CURE on soil biodiversity in collaboration with the #GDSCN BioDIGS consortium. Bring long read sequencing and cloud computing to students everywhere with partners at @ClovisCollege @NotreDameofMD @JohnsHopkins apply.interfolio.com/150737

🔔 ICYMI: Watch the recording for June's Data Sharing and Reuse Seminar and Michael Schatz's presentation on "BioDIGS: BioDiversity and Informatics for Genomics Scholars." Discover how this project unveils soil biodiversity's impact on human health! youtube.com/watch?v=eklZ6Jhj…

🚨 The Data Sharing and Reuse Seminar is this Friday! Join us for Michael Schatz's presentation on "BioDIGS: BioDiversity and Informatics for Genomics Scholars." Discover how this project unveils soil biodiversity's impact on human health. Register: bit.ly/3VxF46D

Three promising community college students present on #BioDIGS opportunities at the @cloviscollege STEM Research Symposium. Involving #CommunityCollege #FirstGen students is key to diversifying the #Genomics field.

@mike_schatz is telling us about BioDIGS, and getting students from underserved institutions involved in microbiome research of soil through the Genomic Data Science Community Network #BoG24 genome.cshlp.org/content/ear…

Thrilled to share that today c-moor.org students from @ClovisCollege collected soil samples from Clovis Botanical Garden for the #BioDIGS project! We're exploring #Metagenomics to study microbial communities in various #ecosystems. Thanks to our supporters and mentors @mike_schatz, @jtleek, @shurjo_sen, @genome_gov, Eric Green @NHGRI_Director & GDSCN.org! #Genomics #Bioinformatics #STEMeducation

Thank you Director Green! BioDIGS has truly been a highlight of my career. It starts with collecting soil from all over the United States and then diving deep into the informatics to study the genomic diversity of the world around us. schatz-lab.org/presentations…

We invite you to read about Galaxy's participation at #PAG31 🌱✨ Check out our meeting report that touches on all the highlights from #BioDIGS to #VGP: tinyurl.com/PAG31MeetingRepo…

Yesterday, I had a stimulating lunch with major leaders of BioDIGS, an inspirational project led by @mike_schatz that empowers underrepresented students in STEM through hands-on soil microbiome research! Check them out: biodigs.org/#home #AGBT2024

Now up @mike_schatz discussing the Genomic Data Science Community Network and BioDigs to study soil metagenomes 🦠 #AGBT24. Read more about the GDSCN in @genomeresearch tinyurl.com/Genome-Res-27649…

BioDIGS presented by @mike_schatz - undergraduate training in genomics by exploring metagenomes A lot of shoveling takes place at #AGBT - nice to this about soil and not other farmyard material @UDelaware shoutout for the elemental analysis biodigs.org/ #AGBT24

The Big Dig! @mike_schatz from @JohnsHopkins takes the stage at @AGBT 2024 in Orlando with a shovel to discuss BioDIGS, bioDiversity and informatics for #genomics scholars. #AGBT #AGBT24