French scientists launch programme to decode DNA of marine species Over the next eight years, scientists will study the DNA of 4,500 marine species found along France's coastline and overseas territories. The ATLASea programme aims to collect specimens of fish, mammals and algae whose genomes have never been sequenced before in order to draw up a genetic “map” of underwater life. Researchers hope the database will eventually contribute to the discovery of new molecules for use in medicine, agriculture and other fields.