Course overview
Sampling specimens for DNA barcode reference generation requires careful metadata collection, high-quality photographic documentation, and a laboratory workflow designed to minimise contamination. These elements are essential to ensure reference sequences are reliable, reproducible, and scientifically valuable.
In this online course, you will learn the complete workflow for generating high-quality DNA barcode reference material. We will guide you through best practices for specimen handling and preservation in the field, including strategies to maintain DNA integrity and ensure traceability. The course covers how to accurately record and manage specimen metadata, as well as how to produce standardized, publication-quality images that support taxonomic identification.
You will also be introduced to laboratory considerations for handling specimens and sampling tissue in a way that reduces the risk of contamination. Finally, we will walk through the process of organizing and preparing data for submission to the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD), including metadata, images, and specimen records, as well as managing tissue collections for downstream molecular analysis.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of the practical and logistical steps required to build robust DNA barcode reference libraries on BOLD, from field collection to data submission. This includes:
- Preservation preferences for animal, plant and fungal tissue / specimens
- Long term storage for DNA barcode reference vouchers
- Registration of metadata in standardized spreadsheets and upload to BOLD
- Photographic requirements and procedures for (bulk) image upload to BOLD
- Procedures for sequence QC and upload of sequence data to BOLD
Programme (tentative)
Monday 26. October, 10:00 – 15:00 (CET)
- 10:00 Welcome, round of introduction, learning goals and program
- 10:15 The concept of DNA barcoding and an introduction to BOLD
- 10:45 How to create a project in BOLD and complete the SpecimenData file.
- 11:00 Practical exercise in Break out rooms.
- 11:30 Q & A on SpecimenData file in Break out rooms
- 11:45 Stretch legs
- 12:15 Photography and uploading images to BOLD
- 13:00 Tissue sampling and filling record files
- 13:30 Stretch legs
- 13:45 What to do when your results arrive? Quality control and analytical tools
- 14:30 Q & A session with BOLD Data Manager
- 15:00 End of the course
Target group / Audience
PhD students and researchers who will use BOLD as a workbench for their DNA barcodes and other sequence data.
About the instructors
Torbjørn Ekrem – Professor, Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Tomasz Mamos – Associate Professor, Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Poland
Sónia Ferreira – Researcher, BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning; CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Portugal https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/people/details/sonia-ferreira/
Elisabeth Stur – Researcher, Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Admission and applications
Number of participants, eligibility and prerequisites
The maximum number of participants is 20. In case of more applicants, participants will be selected based on the scientific, educational and/or professional merit, motivation and usefulness of the course for the applicants. Results of the selection process will be announced via e-mail shortly after the application deadline.
Application deadline
30 September 2026.
How to apply
Go to https://www.ntnu.no/machform/view.php?id=1734900
Contact
Course coordinator Torbjørn Ekrem, torbjorn.ekrem@ntnu.no
Other practical information
- Language: English
- Credits: None
- Assessment: None
Responsible Institution
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
