Overview

PLANETOID is a cutting-edge research initiative that aims to transform genome and metagenome annotation by combining deep learning with rich genomic biodiversity data. It brings together world-class expertise in artificial intelligence, computational biology, biodiversity, and evolutionary genomics to build powerful tools for interpreting life’s genetic blueprints across the tree of life.

By developing advanced AI models trained on diverse biological data, PLANETOID will uncover the hidden functional layers of biodiversity—from microorganisms to multicellular organisms, and within natural communities and ecosystems.

This initiative is supported by PostGenAI, an AI programme coordinated by Sorbonne University, and involves a wide consortium of French and international partners.

Mission 

PLANETOID addresses one of the most pressing challenges in modern biology: how to interpret the vast amount of genomic data being generated from organisms and ecosystems worldwide. Despite progress in sequencing technologies, most of this data remains unannotated or poorly understood, especially for non-model organisms.

To tackle this, PLANETOID will:

• Use deep learning and language models (like those powering ChatGPT) to predict gene function from raw sequences—even where no prior annotation exists.

• Develop a comprehensive, open-access resource of functionally annotated genomes and metagenomes.

Scientific Goals

• Automate the functional annotation of genomes and metagenomes.

• Contribute to ecology, evolutionary studies, and biomedical research.

• Train a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists at the crossroads of AI and biology.
  
  

Partners

🧬 Natural History Museum of Paris (MNHN)

• Julien Mozziconacci (Coordinator, MNHN, UAR 2700)

• Lucie Bittner (SU)

• Mathilde Carpentier (SU)

• Bertrand Bed’hom (MNHN)
  
  

🧠 Sorbonne University (SU)

• Elodie Laine (Coordinator, SU, LCQB)

• Laurent Jacob (CNRS, LCQB)
  
  

🧬 IMPMC – CNRS / Sorbonne University

• Isabelle Callebaut (CNRS researcher)
  
  

🌊 Roscoff Marine Station (SBR) – SU / CNRS

• Erwan Corre (CNRS, Head of ABIMS platform, BYTE-SEA Coordinator)

• Juliana Bernardes (SU)
  
  

International Partners

🧬 Hugues Richard – Robert Koch Institute

🔬 Julien Gagneur – Technische Universität München