Report
of the International training on DNA barcoding of marine life
(16-21 April 2007)
Genesis:
Having recognized the value of barcoding in describing marine biodiversity, IO-CoML made a decision in November 2006 to impart a hands-on training on DNA bar-coding, mainly of CO1 gene, to a select group of marine scientists in the IO region. After having explored several institutions where this training could be organized, the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) at Lucknow, India, was chosen. Though not realized at that time, this WAS the first ever such training on barcoding anywhere in the world (sic Dr. Dirk Steinke). This also gains an additional distinction in that the participants brought their own samples (~40 identified species) and worked with them.
Total number of participants: 18 (list appended).
Indian – 14; Other IO countries - 4
Choice of participants:
As the work requires expertise in classical taxonomy as well molecular and biochemical techniques, I strived to maintain the composition as a blend of these two groups. Besides, I also tried to give representation to diverse taxonomic groups, besides fishes.
Break-up of participants:
A. Taxonomists
– 11; biochemists – 7
B. National labs – 9; universities – 7; others -1
C. Senior level scientists (= professors) – 5; middle level – 8;
beginners – 5
D. Food fishes – 6; microbiology – 3; ornamental fishes –
3; venomous gastropods -1; edible bivalves – 1; crabs -1; lobsters -1;
corals -1; sponges and soft corals -1
Sponsors:
IO-COML for 12
participants
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) – 3 participants
(travel only)
Sub-Saharan Africa CoML – one participant (travel only)
National Institute of Oceanography, Goa -1
Fisheries Survey of India – 1
Faculty:
6 senior scientists,
3 post-doctoral students and 5 graduate students from NBFGR
Dr. Dirk Steinke, University of Guelph, Canada
Dr. Bronwyn Holmes, CSIRO, Australia
(CoML provided travel to Dr. Steinke and Dr. Bronwyn. IO-CoML provided local hospitality (hotel, DSA and incidentals)).
Organization of the training:
The schedule of the training program is appended to this report. As could be seen from this, the training was a blend of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on experience, beginning from DNA extraction and passing through DNA purification, DNA amplification, sequencing and culminating in interpretation of the sequences. This covers the totality of what is required for graduation in bar-coding of marine life.
The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. Ayyappan, Dy. Director General, Indian council of Agricultural Research. Dr. S.A.H. Abidi, former member of Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board, presided over the concluding session. Both Dr. Ayyaappn and Dr. Abidi are eminent scientists in marine fisheries and biodiversity research in India. An important highlight of the training was the 2-h long lecture delivered by Dr. Lalji singh from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India on the use of DNA fingerprinting for forensic and judicial applications, amply illustrated with examples from paternity suits, murder cases and the assassination of former Prime Minister of India. Dr. Singh travelled 2600 km (to and fro) at the request of Dr. Lakra, Director, NBFGR specifically to deliver this lecture to the participants.
Responses
from participants:
1. ranging from very good to very useful
2. more interest in lesser-studied taxa, apart from fishes
3. more interest in coral reef organisms
4. recognition that this requires team work and hence a willingness to work
together
5. agreement to develop a network in the region
Training costs:
About 6,50,000 INR (~15,000 US $) that covers course fees to NBFGR, working lunch, snacks and tea/coffee, accommodation, food, out-of-pocket allowances, travel for Indian participants, hotel and DSA and other allowances for the 2 resource persons from abroad, incidentals for participants from Africa, vehicle hire for transport of participants from hotel to NBFGR and other miscellaneous expenses. NBFGR hosted 3 dinners during the week.
Reduced per trainee,
this works out to about 850 US$ per person (all inclusive).
Recommendations from participants and faculty:
1. Another such
training could enhance manpower pool for barcoding of marine life
2. Time is ripe to form the network.
Scientific options for the network:
1. A 3-tiered organization, with a network of taxonomists supplying identified specimens, another network of biochemists extracting and amplifying DNA and a third Institution, carrying out sequencing.
2. A pair of taxonomist and biochemist, working together on identification of species and DNA extraction and a third Institution carrying out sequencing.
Administrative options:
1. NBFGR is developing a network of barcoding for fishes in India. Integration into this could be practical. Constraints are:
1. The network is national and not for IO region.
2. IO-CoML (and by extension, CoML) would receive less credit.
3. Relying on a single institution is restrictive for growth.
2. Development and management of the network be entrusted to one of the 18 participants (Some expressed interest and willingness).
3. IO-CoML secretariat runs the network
Budget and targets for network:
To be worked out after feedback from SSC (or the CoML Secretariat) on the scientific and administrative options. Informal talks with participants place target number of species for 2007 at about 200 (considering teething problems) at a cost of 50$ per specimen. The latter is higher than what CBOL normally claims per specimen but here sequencing is done on payment of about 30$ per specimen. To this should be added the organizational expenses.
Shortcomings:
1. Impression of
some trainees was that the training was too tight and forced to fit within a
week’s time – could have been a bit more stretched out.
2. Samples brought by participants could not be completely processed for want
of time.
3. Training Manual, though prepared, could not be distributed to the participants
for reasons beyond the scope of this report (I shall have a PDF version sent
to all participants in due course).
Programme of International Training on DNA Barcoding of Marine Life