Queen's University Environmental DNA Workshop 2023

Where: Queen's University Biological Station - Opinicon Campus

When: Arriving Sunday, July 23^rd to Friday, July 28^th 2023

Target audience: professional biologists in governmental or consulting sectors, NGO personnel, senior undergraduates and grad students seeking additional skills

Registration: Meals & accommodations included.

Students $850, General Public/Professionals $1100

Transportation to/from Kingston and the Biological Station is included (from Queen's University main campus or Kingston bus or train stations)

Participants will receive a Queen's University micro-credential.

Synopsis: Environmental DNA (eDNA) is becoming a mainstay of non-invasive, reliable, and cost-effective surveys of at-risk and invasive species, pathogen detection, and biodiversity assessment. These approaches rely on the fact that organisms leave their DNA in the environment, making it possible to detect their presence without capture or even direct observation. Reliable eDNA data depend on field and lab rigorous technique because significant biases can occur through the process from the sampling to the data processing, and they greatly influence species detection results.

This eDNA workshop will provide a broad overview of the approaches used in eDNA studies for both single-species and multi-species detections. This five-day course will benefit those interested in undertaking or overseeing eDNA studies, or evaluating research proposals and research, especially in management and monitoring applications. The workshop includes lectures, field and lab demonstrations, and hands-on training in analysis and interpretation of data, but does not require detailed knowledge of genetics or molecular biology. We offer a background on sources and fates of eDNA  in the environment, methods and applications with emphasis on design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of species-specific and multi-species eDNA approaches. We will cover advantages and limitations of each , as well as the precautions needed through the whole process to get robust data. We will provide a manual that includes method overviews, field and lab protocols, links to key web resources, and useful literature.

Instructors (click on names for bios): Dr. Steve Lougheed, Allen Tian, Stafford Maracle

Consultants: Dr. Yuxiang Wang, Dr. Orianne Tournayre

Guest speakers: Dr. Robert Hanner (University of Guelph) on Monday, July 24^th 7-8 PM, and Dr. Chris Wilson (MNRF) on Wednesday, July 26^th 7-8 PM 

Timetable for 2023 workshop.