September 4, 2025

Release Highlights:
We are thrilled to announce the launch of PbAC v2, a significant upgrade to the giant panda gut microbiome reference genome database. This release integrates cultivation-based isolation and PacBio HiFi metagenomic sequencing to deliver a high-resolution genomic resource for advanced microbiome research.

Key Updates:

1. Expanded Genome Collection

• Total genomes: 466 species level Genomes, spanning 12 phyla, 74 families, 187 genera, and 466 species.
• 213 novel species and 5 new genera added to the reference catalog.
• Enhanced genome quality: Ultra-high-quality genomes (≥90% completeness) dominate the updated database.

2. Improved Functional Coverage

• Metagenomic reads: 92.7% coverage (high-quality genomes) and 96.5% at relaxed completeness thresholds (80%).
• Meta-transcriptomic reads: 91.9% (high-quality) and 96.2% (relaxed thresholds) coverage (Figure 2c).
• Top 50 reference genomes account for 88.9% of metagenomic reads and 89.0% of meta-transcriptomic reads, underscoring database robustness.

October 20, 2023

We are pleased to present the latest update log for the PbAC database, which now includes reference Metagenome-Assembled Genomes (MAGs) from the giant panda gut microbiome. we are committed to the continuous enhancement of the PbAC database.

October 20, 2023: We are excited to announce that we have recently updated the PbAC database, including the latest versions of Metagenome-Assembled Genomes (MAGs) specific to giant pandas. In this new release, we have expanded our collection to feature over 1,193 non-redundant MAGs, offering a more comprehensive resource for research and conservation efforts.

October 20, 2023

August 8, 2023: Launch of Pbac Database with Inclusion of 408 MAGs its Initial Release.