DNA & genomes

An identified fossil still holds only scraps of DNA. Extract them into a sample, then piece samples together on a Genome Cartridge until the creature's genome is complete.

DNA Extractor

Shaped ➜ DNA Extractor

The extractor needs three things: Extraction Fluid, an empty Sample Vial and an identified, clean fossil.

DNA Extractor

5 s➜

Shaped ➜ Extraction Fluid

Shaped ➜ Sample Vial

Extraction Fluid lasts for 4 extractions. The fossil is always used up.

DNA quality

The quality of the sample, its integrity, comes from an integrity score:

integrity score = fossil completeness + fossil part bonus

Teeth, skulls and egg fossils carry a bonus; claws carry a penalty. See the bonus for every part on Finding fossils.

DNA sample	Integrity score	Genome added	Samples to complete
No sample	below 5%	The fossil and extraction fluid are used up, the vial is kept
DNA Sample (Degraded)	5%–15%	+1–4%	25–100
DNA Sample (Partial)	15%–30%	+4–8%	13–25
DNA Sample (Stable)	30%–60%	+8–15%	7–13
DNA Sample (Preserved Embryo)	above 60%	+15–30%	4–7

If the score is too low (under 5%), the extractor refuses the fossil and its screen reads Too degraded for DNA; nothing is used up, so take the fossil back out. The calculator shows which sample a fossil will give before you spend it.

Each sample also remembers its exact score as its quality, shown in its tooltip. Quality matters later: it decides how faithful the genome is.

Genome Sequencer

Shaped ➜ Genome Sequencer

The sequencer writes DNA onto a Genome Cartridge. Each sample adds a random amount of genome depending on its integrity (the Genome added column above).

Shaped ➜ Genome Cartridge (Blank)

Genome Sequencer

5 s➜

1. A blank cartridge takes the species of the first sample and becomes a filled cartridge.
2. Keep feeding samples of the same species. With a sample of another species in the slot, the sequencer just waits.
3. At 100% the cartridge becomes completed, ready for the Embryogenesis Chamber.

Genome Sequencer

5 s➜

The cartridge stays in its slot between samples, so a hopper feeding DNA from the side can fill it hands-free.

Genome fidelity

Every cartridge has a fidelity: the average quality of the samples that went into it, weighted by how much genome each one added. A few excellent samples make a better genome than many poor ones. The cartridge's tooltip shows its fidelity.

Fidelity decides what kind of animal hatches from the genome: see Genome traits.

Upgrades

Every machine has two upgrade slots. In these two machines:

• Precision: the DNA Extractor gets +5% integrity per module. The Genome Sequencer reads 15% more genome and +5% fidelity from every sample per module.
• Efficiency: in the DNA Extractor, each module gives a 25% chance to keep the Extraction Fluid use, and separately the Sample Vial.
• Speed: each module cuts processing time by a third.

See Upgrade modules.

Automation

Machine	Top	North & south	East & west	Bottom
DNA Extractor	Sample Vial	Extraction Fluid	Fossil	DNA sample (extract)
Genome Sequencer	Cartridge	DNA sample	DNA sample	Cartridge