International Barcode of Life (iBOL)

The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) is a global project that uses DNA analysis to identify and catalog Earth's biodiversity. By sequencing a specific region of DNA from different species, iBOL creates unique "barcodes" for each organism, similar to supermarket product barcodes. This helps scientists quickly and accurately identify plants, animals, fungi, and other life forms, aiding in conservation, ecological research, and monitoring biodiversity. iBOL aims to build a comprehensive digital library of these DNA barcodes, fostering international collaboration and improving our understanding of the planet’s biological diversity.