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.
The course in a glimpse
Course title
Sampling for reference DNA barcodes
Time
Monday 26 October 2026
Place
Online
Language
English
Credits
None
Assessment
None
Teachers
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
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
Course schedule (all times 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
Audience
PhD students and researchers who will use BOLD as a workbench for their DNA barcodes and other sequence data.
Admission and application
Number of participants/students, 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.
How to apply:
Sign up for the course here: https://www.ntnu.no/machform/view.php?id=1734900
Contact
Course coordinator Torbjørn Ekrem (torbjorn.ekrem@ntnu.no)
Responsible institution
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
BGE+ is funded by the European Union
