Borneo Bay Cat Conservation & Genetics
Overview
Borneo Bay Cat Conservation & Genetics is an interactive biodiversity and bioinformatics platform focused on the Borneo bay cat (Catopuma badia), one of the world's least-known wild felids.
The project combines conservation biology, genetics, biodiversity data, taxonomy, geographic records, and scientific literature into a single platform designed to make fragmented scientific information easier to explore.
A data-driven approach to understanding and supporting the conservation of an understudied species.
The Problem
The Borneo bay cat is a rare and elusive species endemic to Borneo.
Research information about the species is distributed across different scientific databases, biodiversity repositories, taxonomic resources, genetic databases, and scientific publications.
This fragmentation makes it difficult to obtain a complete picture of the available knowledge surrounding the species.
The project addresses this challenge by creating a single, accessible interface for exploring multiple types of scientific information around one species.
The Solution
The platform connects and organizes information from multiple scientific and biodiversity resources, allowing users to explore the Borneo bay cat from different perspectives.
The platform includes:
- Species Profile
- Taxonomy Explorer
- Genetics
- Distribution
- Data Explorer
- Research
- Data Availability
- Methodology
- Sources
The platform is available in English and Spanish, making the information accessible to a broader audience.
Scientific Data
The project integrates information from established scientific resources, including:
- NCBI — genetic and molecular information
- GBIF — biodiversity occurrence data
- BOLD Systems — DNA barcode information
- Crossref — scientific publication metadata
- Dryad — research datasets
- PubMed and scientific literature resources — research publications
- Taxonomic and biodiversity resources
Rather than replacing these databases, the project uses them as interconnected sources and provides a species-centered interface for exploring their information.
Technology
Frontend
- React
- TypeScript
- Vite
- CSS
Data & APIs
- REST APIs
- Biodiversity databases
- Genetic databases
- Scientific literature APIs
- Taxonomic resources
The platform was designed with a modular structure so that additional datasets, APIs, analytical tools, and species can be incorporated in the future.
Key Features
Biodiversity Data Exploration
Explore documented records and biodiversity information related to Catopuma badia.
Genetic Information
Access available molecular and genetic resources associated with the species.
Taxonomy
Explore the species' taxonomic classification and its relationship within the Felidae family.
Geographic Distribution
Explore documented occurrence information and the known geographic context of the species.
Scientific Research
Discover scientific publications and research specifically related to the Borneo bay cat.
Data Transparency
The platform includes methodology and source information so users can understand where the information comes from and how it is organized.
Conservation Impact
The project demonstrates how bioinformatics and open scientific data can contribute to biodiversity conservation.
The Borneo bay cat is an example of a broader conservation challenge: species can remain poorly understood even when information exists across multiple scientific resources.
By connecting these resources, the platform provides a foundation for future tools that could support:
- Biodiversity research
- Conservation monitoring
- Genetic research
- Species assessment
- Scientific collaboration
- Conservation organizations
- Research on other understudied species
Hackathon Project
This project was developed for NextStep Hacks 2026 — Earth Forward.
The project aligns with the Earth Forward theme through its focus on:
- Biodiversity
- Wildlife conservation
- Scientific research
- Bioinformatics
- Open scientific data
- Conservation technology
What I Learned
This project allowed me to combine my interests in bioinformatics, genetics, biodiversity, and software development into a single application.
Throughout the project, I worked with scientific data sources, APIs, taxonomic information, genetic resources, biodiversity records, and scientific literature while developing an interactive web interface.
It also helped me explore how computational tools can be used not only for data analysis, but also for making scientific information more accessible and useful for conservation.
Future Development
The platform could eventually expand beyond the Borneo bay cat into a broader conservation framework.
Possible future developments include:
- Population genetics analysis
- Expanded genomic datasets
- Automated literature discovery
- Conservation-status monitoring
- Comparative analysis between related species
- Additional biodiversity databases
- Advanced geographic analysis
- Research tools for conservation organizations
- Support for additional threatened and understudied species
Vision
The long-term vision is to move from a single-species platform toward a broader data-driven conservation framework.
Many rare species remain understudied not necessarily because information does not exist, but because it is fragmented across different scientific resources.
Connecting these sources can help transform scattered data into a more accessible foundation for research, education, and conservation.
Project Links
Live Website:
https://thegreycatresearch.github.io/Borneo-Bay-Cat-Conservation-Genetics/
GitHub Repository:
View the source code
Project Type
Bioinformatics · Biodiversity · Conservation Technology · Scientific Data · Web Development
Built with
React · TypeScript · Vite · REST APIs · Scientific & Biodiversity Databases
Built With
- copilot
- github
- ia
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