這是生物學領域最雄心勃勃的項目之一：科學傢們想為英國和愛爾蘭發現的每一種有機體 DNA 測序。
The project called the Darwin Tree of Life is an immense undertaking. Scientists are collecting the DNA from every species of animal, plants and fungi as well as single-celled organisms called protists, found across Britain and Ireland. And their work is covering every kind of habitat from forests and grasslands to rock pools and rivers.
“達爾文生命之樹” 項目是一個艱巨的任務。科學傢們正從英國和愛爾蘭發現的每一種動植物、真菌以及被稱作 “原生生物” 的單細胞有機體中收集 DNA。他們在各類棲息地開展收集工作，從森林、草地到巖池和河流，無所不包。
The genomes are being sequenced at the Wellcome Sanger Institute with the aim of creating the ultimate genetic library of life. It will show how different species are connected to each other and offer a deeper insight into their biology. And sequencing 70,000 genomes could also help us. Scientists are on the lookout for genetic code that could help to create new antibiotics or materials, including replacements for plastic.
采得的基因組都在維康桑格研究所進行測序，目的是創建一個終極生命基因庫。基因庫將展示不同物種之間的聯系，並讓人們能更深入地瞭解它們的生命機理。對七萬個基因組進行測序也能為我們人類提供幫助。科學傢們正在尋找有助於創造新抗生素或塑料替代品等新材料的遺傳密碼。
詞匯表
immense 巨大的
organisms 有機體，生物體
protists 原生生物
rock pools 巖池
genomes 基因組
sequenced 測序
ultimate 終極的
on the lookout 在尋找，在查找
genetic code 遺傳密碼
antibiotics 抗生素
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. How many species of animal, plants and fungi are DNA being collected from for this study?
2. What will this ‘genetic library of life’ hope to show?
3. True or false? Scientists have found a genetic code that could help create new antibiotics.
4. Where will scientists be looking for organisms?
答案
1. How many species of animal, plants and fungi are DNA being collected from for this study?
Scientists are collecting the DNA from every species of animal, plants and fungi as well as single-celled organisms called protists.
2. What will this ‘genetic library of life’ hope to show?
It will show how different species are connected to each other and offer a deeper insight into their biology.
3. True or false? Scientists have found a genetic code that could help create new antibiotics.
False. Scientists are looking for genetic code that could help to create new antibiotics or materials – they haven’t found it yet.
4. Where will scientists be looking for organisms?
They will be looking in every kind of habitat from forests and grasslands to rock pools and rivers.
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