# A compendium of complete primate reference genomes to facilitate conservation, genomics, and ecology

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2023 · $550,000

## Abstract

Our understanding of primate evolution was transformed by the sequencing and assembly of the human 
reference genome which identified the content and context of genes shared amongst the many different taxa in 
the primate lineage. Subsequent efforts to assemble the genomes of chimpanzees, macaques, and other nonhuman primates further accelerated our under- standing of these and related species. Problematically, these 
genomes were of substantially lesser quality than the human genome and often relied on the human genome for 
long-range scaffolding. Recently however, the advent of long-read sequencing technologies have enabled de 
novo con- struction of complete, accurate vertebrate genome assemblies. These technological advances have 
supported renewed assemblies of a handful of apes and monkeys which are vastly improved providing unique 
insights into the evolution and biology of these species. Nevertheless, complete, accurate, reference quality 
genomes are lacking for the vast majority of the ~500 extant species of primates. Here we propose to construct 
complete reference genomes from 50 diverse primate species spanning 75 million years of evolution. Using 
state-of-the-art long-read sequencing and assem- bly methods we will sequence, assemble, annotate, align, and 
disseminate these genomes as a resource for the community. Source DNA will be derived from the Integrated 
Primate Bioma- terials and Information Resource (IPBIR) at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research 
(Coriell), from a high quality, low-passage, cytogenetically verified collection of cell lines. This resource will 
greatly enhance the potential for research that will advance our understanding of primate evolutionary history, 
population genomics, infectious disease, human origins, and primate biodiversity and conservation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10675823
- **Project number:** 1R01HG013017-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Erik Garrison
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $550,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10675823

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10675823, A compendium of complete primate reference genomes to facilitate conservation, genomics, and ecology (1R01HG013017-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10675823. Licensed CC0.

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