From Environmental Clues to Wildlife Monitoring: The Power of eDNA
From 18 May 2026 until 22 May 2026 - BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal (Face-to-face)
This course introduces the core concepts and techniques of environmental DNA (eDNA) for assessing biodiversity in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. eDNA is a non-invasive tool particularly useful for detecting elusive and endangered species and monitoring ecosystem health using genetic material from water, soil, faecal matter, and other environmental samples. With diverse applications and sample types, starting an eDNA project can be challenging. This course equips participants with the knowledge to plan and conduct eDNA studies, focusing on sampling strategies, laboratory methods, and data interpretation. This course intends to provide a comprehensive understanding of this groundbreaking tool and its applications in ecology and conservation.
Please note that bioinformatics and statistical analysis are beyond the scope of this course and will only be introduced at a basic level. These topics are covered in depth in the course DNA METABARCODING: How to analyse next-generation data for biodiversity monitoring.
The course concludes with a dedicated seminar day, where leading international researchers will present cutting-edge applications and emerging developments, providing participants with a broader scientific context and future perspectives in the field.
PROGRAM
Day 01
9:45-13:00 Course Introduction & Lectures on eDNA applications |
14:00-17:45 Lectures on eDNA Sampling
Day 02
9:45-13:00 Lectures on Molecular Methods for eDNA (e.g. qPCR)
14:00-17:45 Fieldwork session
Day 03
9:45-13:00 Lectures on Molecular Methods for eDNA (e.g. metabarcoding)
14:00-17:45 Lectures on Molecular Methods for eDNA (e.g. metagenomics) & Data Analysis
Day 04
9:45-13:00 Group Activity: Designing an eDNA project
14:00-17:45 Group Activity: Presentations
Day 05
9:45-18:00 Invited Seminars & Round Table
• Arnaud Lyet (WWF, Washington, USA)
• Cody Aylward (WWF, Washington, USA)
• Robin Naidoo (WWF, Washington, USA)
• Manuel Curto (Boku University, Vienna, Austria)
• Vincent Prié (CIBIO/BIOPOLIS/SPYGEN, France)
• Loïc Pellisier (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)
• José Andres (Cornell, Ithaca, NY, USA)
• TBD
CALENDAR
5 days - 35h (Friday all day) - Schedule: 09:45 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:45
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Coordination
Coordination
Joao Queiros | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Luís Silva | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO; Estação Biológica de Mértola (EBM)
Vanessa Mata | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
The course will be open to a maximum number of 18 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)
APPLICATION
Deadline: 27 March, 2026
To apply fill the FORM
A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.
If you don't receive this email, your application was not successfully submitted.
We will email you the results within 10 working days after the application deadline.
REGISTRATION
95€ (students) | 200€ (other participants).
BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%.
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs members.
(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).
MORE INFORMATION
Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals.
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.
CONTACT
Education & Training Unit (Post graduation office)
+351 252 660 425