Integrative biodiversity discovery

We are offering a five-day course to learn how to collect specimens in the field, obtain genomic data and interpret biodiversity using cutting-edge phylogenomic analyses.

This training initiative is aimed at PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career environmental science researchers and those working in biology, environmental and ecological sectors.

The course will benefit those who wish to enhance their understanding of biodiversity discovery methods. Scientists from the Natural History Museum will guide you through the skills necessary to document and describe biodiversity using intensive phylogenomic analyses and field-collected data.

Summary

This course will deliver training in field collection, molecular laboratory protocols and contemporary phylogenetic analysis, offering an important opportunity to observe the analytical links across the full spectrum of activities involved in biodiversity discovery.

The course is delivered by our experts in biodiversity research and phylogenomic analysis and will have a particular focus on using large numbers of genes to infer species trees, a diagrammatic representation of evolutionary relationships. It will entail multiple lectures as well as hands-on practical sessions with field collection, DNA extraction, genomic library preparation and bioinformatics.

By working closely with our scientists, participants will gain expertise to meet the needs and challenges of their current and future careers.

Eligibility

The course is available to all environmental science students, postgraduate researchers and early-career scientists.

Priority will be given to those with NERC funding or whose PhD award was NERC-funded. There are a maximum of 20 places available.

Expenses

The course is sponsored by NERC and all course costs are covered, including travel and accommodation, where required.

Lunch and light refreshments will be provided each day. Travel (up to £150 per student) and accommodation (up to a maximum of 5 nights) will be organised by our administration team.

Topics to be covered

• Introduction to biodiversity fieldwork in terrestrial and aquatic environments
• Practical training in field collection
• Ethics of scientific collection
• Hands-on training in specimen handling and DNA extraction
• Introduction to biodiversity archiving and museum collections
• Overview of molecular laboratory techniques for genomic sequencing
• Practical demonstration of genomic library preparation
• Hands-on training in the bioinformatics associated with phylogenomics
• Phylogenetic analysis, including gene tree estimation and species tree inference
• Career pathways and professional benefits of biodiversity discovery science

Course outcomes

After completing the course, participants will:

1. Understand best practices in collecting and preparing specimens for taxonomic identification and genomic research.
2. Be familiar with the preparation of genomic libraries.
3. Know how to prepare genomic data for phylogenomic analysis.
4. Know how to conduct phylogenomic analyses with large numbers of genes.
5. Be aware of the spectrum of activities involved in biodiversity discovery, from initial fieldwork to post-analysis interpretation.

Course contributors

Fieldwork and specimen collection

Dr Simon Loader: Research encompasses both African and terrestrial vertebrates. Applies a range of approaches in systematics, investigating the current patterns and processes behind the maintenance and formation of biodiversity.

Dr Suzanne Williams: Research focuses on the evolution of colour and vision. Studies deep-sea gastropods, molluscs and echinoderms. Particularly interested in the evolution of rare colours.

Molecular Laboratory

Dr Elena Lugli: Senior member of the NHM Molecular Lab Team with specialisations in both lab operations and research. Has worked on a diversity of species with special interest in parasites and pathogens.

Andie Hall: Senior member of the NHM Molecular Labs with expertise in high-throughput DNA sequencing. Experienced working with all biodiversity sample types including environmental samples and organism tissues. Special interest in insect diversity.

Bioinformatics

Dr Oliver White: Bioinformatics training and development, genomic assembly and analysis. Experienced with advanced biodiversity-associated analytical pipelines. Broad organismal experience with a recent focus on krill.

Phylogenomic Analyses

Dr Paschalia Kapli: Phylogenetic methods development, species delimitation, species tree analyses. Experienced working with a wide range of organisms.

Dr Jeffrey Streicher: Phylogenetic methods application in empirical systems. Comparative genomics methods. Taxonomic interests in amphibians and reptiles.