Biodiversity Cell Atlas

The Biodiversity Cell Atlas (BCA) is a groundbreaking global initiative dedicated to molecularly profiling cell types across the eukaryotic tree of life. With a mission to efficiently expand cell atlases for hundreds of species worldwide, BCA provides essential resources such as a data portal, tools, pipelines, and protocols. The initiative aims to uncover transformative discoveries in fields such as biotechnology, biomedicine, evolutionary biology, and environmental science by systematically mapping cell types and their gene expression.

By utilizing single-cell transcriptomics and other modalities, BCA captures intricate gene expression patterns, allowing for the identification of cell types and states that reflect their molecular similarities. This comprehensive approach not only facilitates functional genome annotation and informs AI models, but also supports biomonitoring of ecosystems and encourages interdisciplinary breakthroughs. Despite facing technical challenges in achieving broader phylogenetic representation, BCA is committed to overcoming these obstacles and advancing our understanding of cellular diversity across species.