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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Of course!

Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Another great and final day at the @ukdnawg.bsky.social #UKDNAWG25 meeting. Although I gave just a speed talk on my Pitcairn #eDNA work, it seemed well received 😊

I also got to break out this amazing lime green jumpsuit for a #WhatIWoreInScience as a #WomanInSTEM

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Reposted by Dr Kirsten J Harper

UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · May 14

Project, sample, amplification (single species), sequencing and ASV/OTU data required which enable confidence assessment of the data. Templates for upload to @nbntrust.bsky.social have been produced with tool for adapting to @gbif.org #UKDNAWG25

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Reposted by Dr Kirsten J Harper

UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · May 14

Now @nidunn.bsky.social on importance of metadata for publishing and mobilising #metabarcoding data. Metadata key to understanding how species records were generated and making confidence judgement. FAIR #eDNA project has established workflow which @naturalengland.bsky.social have adopted #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Nicholas Dunn from @naturalengland.bsky.social discussing need for metadata reporting & lack of standards. Identified key minimum metadata needed to be reported. Important to also follow FAIR data guidelines. Can then assess confidence in data produced in conjunction w validation tools #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

@lynseyrharper.bsky.social #eDNA assay validation is necessary but nothing for metabarcoding. Framework of 5 levels constructed. Validation framework requires 48 minimum criteria to be met to achieve level 1. Different environments may mean that an assay has multiple validation levels #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Lyndall Pereira da Conceicoa talking about BIOSCAN. The aim to future proof and biobank DNA. Successfully scaled number of traps around the UK. Bringing in taxonomy experts to confirm IDs and improve ref databases.
Sequenced 170k samples thus far. Live interactive results shared. #eDNA #UKDNAWG25

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Reposted by Dr Kirsten J Harper

UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · May 14

Different labs can produce vastly different results which leads to ‘eDNA doesn’t work’ - ring and proficiency testing is key. Establishing minimum standards (e.g. sequencing depth) and metadata reporting is crucial. Stringency of standards will vary by taxonomic group #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

@leeselab.bsky.social #eDNA can contribute to global biodiversity goals. Its use and outcomes proven many times over. It’s scalable, reliable and cost effective. But why is global uptake slow? Barriers like unequal access to technical infrastructure #UKDNAWG25

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Reposted by Dr Kirsten J Harper

UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · May 14

Speed talks!

@kirstenjharper.bsky.social uncovers #marine #biodiversity around Pitcairn Islands. Fish communities differ by site + depth. Species detections matched life histories + habitat preferences. More data for other taxa + comparisons with other methods still to come! #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Tom Gibson from @cefasgovuk.bsky.social on discovering the biodiversity around Ascension Island using #eDNA. Found some depth differences for families of fish identified. eDNA could be used to monitor biodiversity but more comprehensive reference database needed. #UKDNAWG25

Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

@margauxsteyaert.bsky.social tells us about autonomous methods vs #eDNA for coral reef monitoring. Generally eDNA does not recover as much richness or diversity compared to autonomous method however did work well for sponges and ultimately is complementary method #UKDNAWG25

Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Vera Fonseca from @cefasgovuk.bsky.social discussing how CEFAS utilise #eDNA for marine biomonitoring. Key values for eDNA compared to trad. methods is high taxonomic resolution, early detection of pathogens/non native species, scalable, cost effective. Is a complementary tool to be used

#UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

@dinathebiologist.bsky.social from U of Liverpool traditional monitoring of rocky shores by visual surveys, but limited eg lack of ID. Can #eDNA complement? Multimarker approach. Few shared species by marker. Detections reflected known biogeographical patterns. Yes, eDNA complements #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

@dinathebiologist.bsky.social from U of Liverpool traditional monitoring of rocky shores by visual surveys, but limited eg lack of ID. Can #eDNA complement? Multimarker approach. Few shared species by marker. Detections reflected known biogeographical patterns. Yes, eDNA complements #UKDNAWG25

Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Karen Tait from @plymouthmarine.bsky.social discussing matching morphological data with #eDNA data for zooplankton time series 2012-2023. Methods complement each other for enhanced information but community compositions differ. Temporal trends matched well, overall both methods needed #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 14

Kate Wade from @jncc.bsky.social reflecting on how biomolecular tools like #eDNA used for marine biomonitoring in the UK.
There are barriers to uptake of molecular methods eg lack of knowledge. Est a working group in ‘24 to focus on uptake & operationalisation for marine monitoring in UK #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Attending the @ukdnawg.bsky.social #UKDNAWG25 #eDNA conference and thought it was a perfect time to do a #WhatIWoreInScience as a #WomanInStem. Today has a slight floral theme 🌺🌸🌼

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Reposted by Dr Kirsten J Harper

UKEOF UKDNA Working Group @ukdnawg.bsky.social · May 13

Ending the day with panel discussion on opportunities for cross discipline and cross sector collaboration, with panellists representing government, academia and industry. If you’re not here this year, do comment with any questions you would like asked! #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Molly Jones from @kent.ac.uk speaking on a novel #eDNA model that accounts for qPCR time series data, and for contamination and inhibition. #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Sotiris Meletiou discussing using #eDNA to monitor European eel in Cyprus. Found eels present in Cyprus and more widespread that thought. Moving forward expanding eDNA monitoring into policy #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Lauren Weldon form eDNA Consultancy discussing monitoring European eel with #eDNA. Key findings: Water chemistry’s show that 90% fall within good until you get to phosphates. As summer progressed, phosphate levels got worse. Found that with ⬆️ phosphate, ⬇️ in eels #UKDNAWG25

Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Salla Vartia speaking on PINK track - a tool for monitoring the #invasive pink salmon using #eDNA. Optimised filter type through 6 countries. Prelim results didn’t provide a clear winner but did identify filters to rule out and able to proceed with any that worked well. #UKDNAWG25

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Successfully predicts IQI From 16S #eDNA and has been provisionally adopted by Scottish regulators. Also has applications beyond current use 👍🏻 #UKDNAWG25

@samsocean.bsky.social

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Dr Kirsten J Harper @kirstenjharper.bsky.social · May 13

Tom Wilding from @samsocean.bsky.social talking on estimating the Infaunal Quality Index (IQI) inside aquaculture areas using traditional methods (costly) and novel #eDNA metabarcoding. Developed the eDNA2IQI r-package to do this by using sequence data generated from 16S to predict IQI. #UKDNAWG25

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