Ask the Experts: Functional Genome Annotation

Sep 3, 2025 09:00 AM

Webinar Description:

Accurate genome annotation is the foundation of modern biology and without it, even the best sequencing or analysis tools can fall short. In this webinar, Dr. Martin Kollmar, a leader in functional genome annotation, unpacks how decades of research have led to more precise, informative, and actionable genome annotations. If you're working with genome assemblies, investigating gene function, or developing high-quality reference datasets, this session will equip you with the knowledge to identify common pitfalls, critically assess annotation quality, and apply best practices for more meaningful biological insights. What We’ll Cover: - Genome Annotation Strategies: Why scientific depth and technical rigor matter more than ever. - When a Gene Isn’t a Gene: How flawed public datasets are shaping future annotations and what to do about it. - Beyond BUSCO: What this popular tool can, and can’t, tell you about genome quality. Functional Genome Annotation Essentials: Understanding the real-world impact of assigning biological function with confidence. The Role of Genome Assembly Quality: Why even the best annotation tools can't fix a broken foundation. Dr. Martin Kollmar is the Founder and CEO of GOENOMICS GmbH and a recognized leader in genome research, structural biology, and bioinformatics. He earned his doctorate in structural biology from the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg in 2002. From 2002 to 2016, he led the “Systems Biology of Motor Proteins” research group at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, followed by his role as head of a university spin-off at the University of Göttingen from 2019 to 2022. Since founding GOENOMICS in 2022, Dr. Kollmar has continued to push the boundaries of functional genome annotation. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications across diverse areas including genome annotation, protein biochemistry, and structural biology.