2nd Benthic Invertebrate Taxonomy, Metagenomics, and Bioinformatics (BITMaB-2) Workshop
January 15-19, 2018 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 USA All those interested in attending MUST submit the following workshop registration form https://goo.gl/forms/RL5P6EAOzfQG16kq2 (application deadline November 15, 2017): Background: Morphological identification of benthic meiofauna and macrofauna samples is labor intensive, time consuming, and costly. A more efficient method, using DNA markers from metagenomic sequencing of sediment samples to characterize benthic communities, is being developed. For this purpose, a reference library for whole genomes of widely distributed infauna species of the Gulf of Mexico is currently being populated. While still in its infancy, we are anticipating that this new methodology will become a standard procedure for ecological surveys and environmental monitoring procedures. Purpose: The BITMaB-2 workshop is designed to train graduate students and researchers in the full spectrum involved in this new cutting edge methodology, including sample preparation, taxonomy of common benthic meiofauna and macrofauna taxa of the Gulf of Mexico, metagenomics, and bioinformatics. There is no registration fee for BITMaB-2. There are two objectives of this workshop. First, we intend to produce meio-and macrofaunal specimens from which we will generate draft genomes in support of the development of the eukaryotic genomes reference databases. We strive to include as many unique families/phyla represented in the GoM as possible. A complication for many groups is that fresh material will be required to find and identify individual specimens. As such this workshop will focus on samples collected each morning during the workshop from relatively shallow sediments. This aspect of the workshop will be led by taxonomic experts and provide an opportunity for training students, at all levels. The anticipated outcome for this activity is to provide valuable experiences for many students and to produce as many potential reference samples competent for genome sequencing analysis as possible during the week. The taxonomy experience will take place in the facilities at the Harte Research Institute. Confirmed taxonomic participants: * Maickel Armenteros (University of Havana, Cuba) – Nematoda * Noe Barrera (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) – Mollusca * Richard Heard (University of Southern Mississippi) – Isopoda, Amphipoda, Tanaidacea * Larry Hyde (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) – Local macrofauna * Rick Kalke (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) – Local macrofauna * Kevin Kocot (University of Alabama) - Aplacophora * Francesca Leasi (University of New Hampshire) - Meiofauna from environmental samples * Wonchoel Lee (Hanyang University, South Korea) – Harpacticoida * Fabio Moretzsohn (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) – Mollusca * Tiago Pereira (University of California Riverside) – Nematoda * Alessandro Prantoni (Federal University of Paraná) – Oligochaeta * Michael Reuscher (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) – Polychaeta * Adelaide Rhodes (University of Vermont) – Copepoda, Tanaidacea * Melissa Rohal (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) – Harpacticoida * Martin Sørensen (Natural History Museum of Denmark) – Kinorhyncha, Tardigrada, Gnathostomulida, Loricifera The second objective of the workshop is to provide training in core bioinformatics analysis. These skills are critical to the effective use of genomic data for analyzing community structure and function. The bioinformatics workshop will take place every morning during the week. Students attending the workshop will emerge with core skills in UNIX (BASH), simple scripting tools and analyzing metagenomics data using open source bioinformatics programs, such as PhyloSift, iPython workflows, and data visualization software. This aspect of the proposal will be led by the UNH and UCR Genomics and Bioinformatics groups. The bioinformatics workshop will take place in the Harte auditorium. The bioinformatics portion will be led by Holly Bik, University of California-Riverside. Outcomes: Participating students will (1) learn how to properly prepare benthic samples for morphological identification of invertebrates and DNA sequencing alike, (2) acquire taxonomic expertise about common invertebrate taxa of the Gulf of Mexico, (3) gain deeper understanding on the metagenomic sequencing approach to characterize the taxonomic composition of benthic samples, and (4) master the use of sophisticated bioinformatics tools needed for the analyses of genomic and metagenomic datasets. Application and travel support: A limited number of BITMaB-2 travel stipends (covering airfare, accommodation, and subsistence) are available for workshop applicants - both US and international applicants are eligible to apply. Travel support will be provided through a combination of funding from a Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GOMRI) grant and National Science Foundation, Research Coordination Network (NSF-RCN) EukHiTS grant to Kelly Thomas and Holly Bik (more information about RCN EukHiTS can be found at: http://eukhits.wordpress.com<http://eukhits.wordpress.com>) To apply for a travel stipend, please answer “yes” to the the relevant question on the workshop application form (see Google Form Link at top of this document). Graduate and undergraduate students should also send a letter of support from their supervisory professor. The deadline for application is Wednesday, November 15, 2017. For any further questions, please email Michael Reuscher at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ________________________________ Michael Reuscher, Ph.D. Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5869 Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5869 U.S.A.
