Barcoding with ONTOLOGY: a barcoding lab start

Course overview

A comprehensive 3-day intensive training bridging theoretical knowledge and hands-on laboratory practice in DNA barcoding. Designed as a complete "lab start" guide, it covered everything from basic molecular laboratory safety to real-time sequencing on Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) devices and primary data assessment.

Course description (background, topics etc.): DNA barcoding has become a standard tool in modern biodiversity genomics, and long-read sequencing technologies are redefining how we generate molecular data. This course delivered a solid theoretical framework alongside technical skills required to build an operational and sterile molecular workflow from scratch.
Core topics covered:

• Theoretical Foundations: Principles of DNA barcoding, history and evolution of sequencing technologies, mechanics of nanopore sequencing, and the structural management of a molecular laboratory.
• Lab Start & Safety: Establishing rigorous protocols for sample handling, sterile work practices, and contamination prevention in sensitive molecular environments.
• Hardware & Equipment Mastery: Practical training on core lab devices, including the proper calibration and handling of automatic pipettes, vortexes, centrifuges, and advanced fluorometric quantification using the Qubit system.
• ONT Sequencing Operations: Full preparation, loading, and execution of a sequencing run on the portable MinION Mk1D device.
• Primary Data Workflow: Introduction to real-time sequencing monitoring, basecalling, and preliminary bioinformatic assessment of raw sequencing outputs.

Learning outcomes 

What knowledge or skills has the student/participant gained from this course?

• Deep theoretical understanding of DNA barcoding workflows and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) systems.
• Ability to implement, maintain, and enforce strict cleanliness and safety protocols within a molecular biology laboratory.
• Technical proficiency in operating vital laboratory hardware: automatic pipettes, vortexes, centrifuges, and Qubit fluorometers.
• Hands-on competence in setting up, preparing, and starting a sequencing run on the MinION Mk1D device.
• Fundamental skills in assessing and executing preliminary bioinformatic analysis on newly generated data.

Schedule (if relevant) 

Day 1: Theory of Barcoding, Lab Start & Hardware Operations

Day 2: Theory, DNA Quantification

Day 3: Sequencing on the MinION Mk1DData Assessment & Course Wrap-up

Day 4 (online): BOLD and data analysis 

 

Target group/Audience

PhD students, master students, postdocs, researchers 

Language 

Polish 

Teachers  

Tomasz Mamos – Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Poland. 

Admission and application 

Number of participants/students, eligibility and prerequisites  

Number of participants/students: 5 participants.

Eligibility and prerequisites: Foundational background in molecular biology or genetics. The course was targeted for a small audience,no selection procedure was used.

Financial support/co-funding

Responsible institution 

Co-financed by the Minister of Science under the "Regional Excellence Initiative" Program for 2024–2027 (RID/SP/0045/2024/01)