这是生物学领域最雄心勃勃的项目之一：科学家们想为英国和爱尔兰发现的每一种有机体 DNA 测序。
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.
“达尔文生命之树” 项目是一个艰巨的任务。科学家们正从英国和爱尔兰发现的每一种动植物、真菌以及被称作 “原生生物” 的单细胞有机体中收集 DNA。他们在各类栖息地开展收集工作，从森林、草地到岩池和河流，无所不包。
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.
采得的基因组都在维康桑格研究所进行测序，目的是创建一个终极生命基因库。基因库将展示不同物种之间的联系，并让人们能更深入地了解它们的生命机理。对七万个基因组进行测序也能为我们人类提供帮助。科学家们正在寻找有助于创造新抗生素或塑料替代品等新材料的遗传密码。
词汇表
immense 巨大的
organisms 有机体，生物体
protists 原生生物
rock pools 岩池
genomes 基因组
sequenced 测序
ultimate 终极的
on the lookout 在寻找，在查找
genetic code 遗传密码
antibiotics 抗生素
阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。
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.
