An introductory molecular phylogenetics course: integrating molecules with taxonomy, systematics and evolutionary studies

A one-week introductory course about molecular phylogenetic analyses.

Designed for taxonomists and ecologists at post-graduate and post-doctoral level, the course is taught by Museum scientists

This course will benefit anyone wishing to gain expertise in molecular diagnostics and phylogenetic analysis for systematic, taxonomic and ecological studies.

The course is sponsored by NERC and the NHM and is completely free.

Summary of course

This one-week introductory-level course is designed to foster and develop strategically important and vulnerable research skills and capabilities by teaching participants the steps involved in the production of molecular phylogenies from traditional Sanger and next-generation sequence (NGS) data.

A phylogeny is essential for defining species boundaries, species identifications, recognition of cryptic species, testing systematic hypotheses, identifying evolutionary and biogeographic patterns and understanding the evolution of traits. As such, knowing how to produce a robust tree is an indispensable tool for modern taxonomists, systematists and evolutionary biologists.

By the time the participants have completed the course, they will have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to:

• edit raw Sanger and NGS sequence data
• carry out multiple sequence alignments
• choose appropriate models of sequence evolution
• carry out phylogenetic analyses (including Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood)
• interpret tree topology and nodal support
• produce publication-ready trees
• work with public sequence repositories
• assemble and annotate next generation sequence data
• understand potential for phylogenomics
• understand methods used to assess community diversity with eDNA
• recognise cryptic species
• have an awareness of complicating issues affecting lab work and analyses.

The in-person course will run for one week 6-10 March 2023 and an online version of the course with recorded lectures and support from tutors at set times each day will run 20-24 March 2023. The in-person course includes accommodation in London (if necessary) and limited travel costs within the UK.

Eligibility for course

The course is available to anyone but please note that from a short list (based on perceived need and relevance of the course to the applicant’s project) priority will be given to applicants supported by NERC, working on a NERC grant or based at a NERC institute.

There are a maximum of 12 places for each course. Note that this course assumes no prior experience with DNA sequence analyses and is an introductory course. As such, it is not appropriate for more advanced students. A general understanding of molecular and phylogenetic terminology is assumed. Computers are provided for the in-person course.

Funded by