THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE WATER: Tracking Down Biodiversity in Aquatic Landscapes using Environmental DNA (POSTPONED to November 2024)
From 08 Apr 2024 until 12 Apr 2024 - BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal (Face-to-face)
This course provides the basic concepts and techniques involved in water environmental DNA (eDNA) tools for assessing biodiversity in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. eDNA analysis is an innovative and non-invasive approach for studying elusive and endangered species, assessing biodiversity and monitoring ecosystem health.
Considering the wide range of possible applications for water eDNA, coupled with the vast diversity of sampling, laboratory work, bioinformatics, and analytical approaches, it can be intimidating to initiate an eDNA-based project. Therefore, in this course, we provide participants with the basic knowledge necessary to design, implement, and analyse biodiversity information using different molecular assays.
This course intends to provide a comprehensive understanding of this groundbreaking tool and its applications in ecology and conservation.
Students should use their personal laptops for the course, particularly from the 3rd day onwards. Students will be required to have specific software installed on their laptops and the respective instructions will be sent by e-mail one week prior to the course. For the practical session on the 4th day, students are advised to bring comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. This activity is subject to the weather conditions.
It is recommended that students have previous knowledge of DNA metabarcoding techniques (from library preparation to bioinformatic analysis) as these topics will be superficially covered in this course.
Day 01 | April 08, 2024
9:30-13:00 | Course Introduction & Lectures on water eDNA applications
14:00-17:30 | Lectures on Sampling Design
14:00-17:30 | Lectures on Sampling Design
Day 02 | April 09, 2024
9:30-13:00 | Lectures on Molecular
Methods for water eDNA
14:00-17:30 |Lectures on Molecular Methods for water eDNA
14:00-17:30 |Lectures on Molecular Methods for water eDNA
Day 03 | April 10, 2024
9:30-13:00 | Lectures on Data Analysis and Presentation
14:00-17:30 | Hands-on class: Data Analysis and Presentation
14:00-17:30 | Hands-on class: Data Analysis and Presentation
Day 04 | April 11, 2024
9:30-13:00 | Hands-on class: water eDNA sampling
14:00-17:30 | Group Activity: Designing an eDNA project
14:00-17:30 | Group Activity: Designing an eDNA project
Day 05 | April 12, 2024
9:30-13:00 | Group Activity: Presentations
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Filipa MS Martins (Coordinator) | BIOPOLIS/CIBIO - APPLECOL
SELECTION CRITERIA
The course will be open to a maximum number of 15 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
• Students who have attended the advanced course DNA METABARCODING: HOW TO DESIGN AND ANALYSE NEXT-GENERATION DATA FOR BIODIVERSITY MONITORING or a similar course.
• Students who have attended the advanced course DNA METABARCODING: HOW TO DESIGN AND ANALYSE NEXT-GENERATION DATA FOR BIODIVERSITY MONITORING or a similar course.
REGISTRATION
95€ (students) | 200€ (other participants)
CIBIO-InBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students MBGE 1st year Students & CIBIO's TwinLabs
CIBIO-InBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students MBGE 1st year Students & CIBIO's TwinLabs
Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation