International Day for Biological Diversity | Join M20 Genomics in Safeguarding Earth’s Genetic Heritage

Every year on May 22, the world celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 to highlight the urgent need to protect our planet’s rich tapestry of life. This day marks the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which defines biodiversity as “the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part.” The CBD’s three core objectives—conserving biological diversity, ensuring its sustainable use, and promoting the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources—remain central to this global observance. In 2025, the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development” underscores the essential balance between humanity and the natural world, paving the way for global action and emphasizing that our future depends on living in sync with nature.

Importantly, this year’s observance also highlights the transformative role of new technologies in catalyzing the protection of biodiversity. From satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence to genetic sequencing and data-driven conservation strategies, innovative tools are revolutionizing how we understand, monitor, and safeguard the natural world. These advancements are enabling more effective responses to biodiversity loss and helping bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical action.

This year’s campaign highlights the vital links between the UN’s 2030 Agenda, its Sustainable Development Goals, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, all of which underscore that biodiversity is essential to human well-being, planetary health, and economic prosperity. Yet, with over 47,000 species now threatened with extinction due to human activities, the loss of biodiversity endangers not only wildlife but also economies, livelihoods, food security, and the quality of life for the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth and the cornerstone of sustainable development. Protecting it is not just a responsibility—it is an imperative, and harnessing the power of new technology offers unprecedented hope for a more harmonious and sustainable future.

Figure 1. The proportion of extant (i.e., excluding Extinct) species in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. EW - Extinct in the Wild, CR - Critically Endangered, EN - Endangered, VU - Vulnerable, NT - Near Threatened, DD - Data Deficient, LC - Least Concern.

The Science of Biodiversity: From Ecosystems to Cells

Biodiversity is commonly thought of as the variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms inhabiting the planet. However, it also encompasses the genetic diversity that exists within each species, and this dimension fundamental to adaptation, evolution, and ecosystem resilience. Comprehensive conservation efforts must therefore extend beyond species inventories to encompass genetic variation at the molecular level.

Despite significant advances in genomic technologies, our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of most species remains limited. As of 2022, the IUCN had assessed approximately 150,000 species, yet only 2.4% of the 15,521 threatened animal species had published genomic resources. Although the number of available genomic datasets has increased substantially in recent years, the rate at which new species are being assessed and added to the threatened list is outpacing these developments. As of 2025, nearly 170,000 species have been assessed, with 18,109 animal species alone classified as threatened (Figure 2). Looking ahead, the IUCN plans to expand its assessments to 260,000 species by 2030, further underscoring the urgent need to accelerate the generation and application of genomic resources to keep pace with the growing scope of biodiversity evaluation and conservation (Figure 3).

Figure 2. Increase in the number of species assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ (2000–2025; version 2025-1).

Figure 3. IUCN “Barometer of Life” assessment targets.

The generation of reference genomes, while foundational, does not in itself translate to conservation outcomes. The most significant impacts arise from downstream applications that leverage these genomic resources. For example, the ringed seal (Phoca hispida), a polar marine mammal, exhibits pronounced adaptations to cold environments and possesses a distinctive immune system. Research has demonstrated that dive duration can modulate the stress response of immune cells in this species, and that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in nutrient metabolism and immune defense. However, challenges such as the difficulty of obtaining and preserving wild samples, as well as incompatibility with standard laboratory reagents, impede the establishment of cell lines and the functional validation of proteins. These limitations restrict the depth of inquiry into the ringed seal’s immunological and adaptive mechanisms.

Technological barriers are even more pronounced in microbial research. Methane-oxidizing bacteria from deep-sea and cold seep environments, for instance, are pivotal in the global carbon cycle, converting methane into formate or carbon dioxide and thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. These bacteria, however, are highly sensitive to culture conditions and possess unique cell wall structures, rendering conventional culturing, imaging, and metabolic analyses ineffective. Beyond their ecological significance, such microbes may also be reservoirs of novel antibiotics or anticancer compounds, underscoring the urgent need for innovative methodological approaches.

Figure 4. Microbes at the oxygen-methane boundary in water consume methane to prevent its escape into the atmosphere.

The unique traits and ecological functions of non-model organisms are indispensable to advancing our understanding of biodiversity. Nevertheless, the limited adaptability of current research methodologies across diverse taxa often results in the exclusion of these organisms from mainstream scientific inquiry. This technological limitation constrains the scope of biodiversity research and highlights the necessity for the development of more universally applicable research platforms.

Overcoming Barriers: M20 Genomics’ VITA Platform

Current biotechnology platforms face significant limitations in species applicability. Most tools-ranging from experimental protocols to computational algorithms and reference databases-are optimized for mammals, select eukaryotes, or a narrow subset of microbial taxa. These constraints hinder comprehensive biodiversity studies, particularly for prokaryotes, which constitute an estimated 70–90% of Earth’s phylogenetic diversity (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Proportion of microbial phylogenetic diversity in prokaryotic and eukaryotic domains

Prokaryotes underpin critical ecological processes, including biogeochemical cycling, ecosystem stability, and climate regulation. They also represent untapped potential for biotechnology, such as novel antimicrobial compounds or bioremediation strategies. However, their study at single-cell resolution has been impeded by technological barriers. For instance, conventional high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), a cornerstone of modern tissue analysis, relies on polyadenylated (polyA) mRNA-a feature absent in prokaryotic transcripts. This has rendered the technology largely incompatible with microbial research, despite their ecological and evolutionary significance.

To address this gap, M20 Genomics developed the VITA platform, the first high-throughput single-cell transcriptome platform with universal species compatibility. Unlike conventional methods, VITA employs a random primer-based capture strategy that bypasses polyA tail dependency, enabling transcriptomic profiling across all domains of life-eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi) and prokaryotes (bacteria, archaea). This advancement significantly expands the scope of single-cell research, enabling comprehensive investigations of genetic diversity and function across a far broader range of organisms than previously possible.

Figure 6. VITA high-throughput single-cell transcriptome platform for eukaryotic and prokaryotic samples

Here are some real-world single-cell transcriptome data from the VITA platform across different species:

Human Samples

The VITA platform possesses broad compatibility with various eukaryotic sample types, including fresh, frozen, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Below are results from two representative human cancer samples: a frozen liver cancer specimen and an FFPE lung cancer specimen. The platform successfully captured 13,707 and 9,649 valid cells from these samples, with median gene counts of 2,186 and 1,107, respectively.

Table 1. VITA platform QC parameters for two human samples

Gene expression profiling enabled the identification of six distinct cell types in the liver frozen sample, including hepatocyte, epithelial cells, T cells , macrophages, and liver-specific stellate cells (Figure 7).

Figure 7. VITA platform identifies six cell types in human liver  frozen sample

In the lung cancer FFPE sample, ten cell types were identified, including epithelial cells, T cells, B cells, macrophages, and lung-specific alveolar type I (AT1) and type II (AT2) cells (Figure 8).

Figure 8. VITA platform identifies ten cell types in  human lung cancer FFPE sample

Mouse Samples

In a frozen mouse brain sample, the VITA platform also demonstrated excellent performance, capturing 10,382 high-quality cells with a median gene count of 2,798 per cell. (Table 2)

Table 2. VITA platform QC parameters for mouse brain (frozen) sample

Figure 9. VITA platform identifies eight cell types in mouse brain frozen sample

In this sample, eight cell types were identified, including ependymal cells, astrocytes, endothelial cells, and microglia (figure 9).

These results demonstrate that the VITA platform performs well in eukaryotic samples, enabling the generation of high-quality single-cell transcriptome data. This highlights its potential to support a wide range of studies in the eukaryotic field by providing detailed insights at single-cell resolution.

Bacterial Samples

The VITA platform enables robust single-cell transcriptome analysis of both isolated bacterial cultures and complex microbial communities from diverse environments. Below are representative results from two microbiome samples: human fecal microbiota and fermented sludge microbiota. The platform captured 5,726 and 8,325 valid cells, respectively, with median gene counts of 148 and 102 per cell.

Table 2. VITA single-bacteria transcriptome QC parameters for two microbiome samples

Gene expression profiles enabled species-level clustering of dominant bacterial taxa (>1% abundance) within the human fecal microbiome sample, as visualized in the UMAP projection (Figure 10). This approach resolves functional heterogeneity within and between species, which is critical for understanding the complexity of the gut microbiota and its relationship to human health.

Figure 10. UMAP clusters of dominant bacterial species (>1% abundance) in human fecal microbiome

Similarly, UMAP clustering of the fermented sludge microbiome sample revealed distinct bacterial populations (Figure 11), though taxonomic annotations are withheld due to publication restrictions. The high gene detection (121,835 genes) provides valuable insights into the functional diversity of various bacterial species, offering important implications for environmental microbiology research.

Figure 11. UMAP clusters of dominant bacterial species (>1% abundance) in fermented sludge microbiome

Fungal Samples

The VITA platform’s cross-species compatibility even extends to fungal studies, enabling high-throughput single-cell transcriptome sequencing of eukaryotic microbes. Below are results from a mixed yeast sample containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Komagataella pastoris, demonstrating the platform’s ability to resolve interspecies heterogeneity.

Table 3. VITA single-cell transcriptome QC parameters for mixed yeast sample

The mixed yeast sample analysis achieved clear separation of S. cerevisiae and K. pastoris populations at single-cell resolution (Figure 12). As model eukaryotic microorganisms, yeasts are widely used in genetics, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology. Single-cell analysis offers new insights into their functional heterogeneity and strain optimization.

Figure 12. UMAP clustering and species annotation for mixed yeast sample

Conclusion: Technology as a Catalyst

The accelerating loss of biodiversity threatens the delicate balance of life on our planet. Yet, innovation offers hope. At M20 Genomics, we believe that technology can be a powerful catalyst for change. Our VITA Single-Cell Transcriptome Platform-with its revolutionary cross-species compatibility and sample type adaptability-can transform how scientists explore and protect the natural world. By enabling researchers to decode gene expression at the single-cell level across diverse species, we unlock new insights into how the gene expression profile of each and every cell may hold key regulatory information for maintaining ecological balance.

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, M20 Genomics reaffirms its commitment to global collaboration. By partnering with scientists worldwide, we can build comprehensive molecular archives and illuminate the hidden complexities of every ecological niche. True sustainability and harmony are only possible when we value every unique organism and ecosystem. Together, by pioneering life Sciences through next-generation single-cell innovations, we can empower better humanity through innovative excellence and secure a vibrant and resilient future for our planet.

References

1. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Summary Statistics. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/summary-statistics (Accessed May, 2025).

2. Convention on Biological Diversity. Article 1: Objectives. Available at: https://www.cbd.int/convention/articles/default.shtml?a=cbd-01 (Accessed May, 2025).

3. United Nations. International Day for Biological Diversity. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day (Accessed May, 2025).

4. Convention on Biological Diversity. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Introduction. Available at: https://www.cbd.int/gbf/introduction (Accessed May, 2025).

5. Convention on Biological Diversity. International Day for Biological Diversity. Available at: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day (Accessed May, 2025).

6. Li, Y., et al. (2022). Single-cell transcriptomics in biodiversity research: Progress and prospects. Frontiers in Genetics, 13, 8795520. 

7. Holt, B.G., Lessard, J.P., Borregaard, M.K., et al. (2013). An update of Wallace's zoogeographic regions of the world. Science, 339(6115), 74-78.

8. Thompson, L.A., et al. (2019). Effects of health status on pressure-induced changes in phocid immune function and implications for dive ability. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 189(5), 637-657.

9. Dong, Y., et al. (2025). Distinct fecal microbiome communities and functional predictions in spotted seals: Age-dependent and dietary transformations. Marine Mammal Science, e70008.

10. Schorn, S., et al. (2024). Persistent activity of aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria in anoxic lake waters due to metabolic versatility. Nature Communications, 15, 5293.

11. Jangra, M., et al. (2025). A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome. Nature, 640(8060), 1022-1030.

12. Crowther, T.W., Rappuoli, R., Corinaldesi, C., et al. (2024). Scientists' call to action: Microbes, planetary health, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Cell, 187(19), 5195-5216.