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 Workshop Application Form: https://goo.gl/forms/RL5P6EAOzfQG16kq2 (EXTENDED application deadline November 20, 2017): Full Workshop Announcement: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sky4bKzrxF4ImwrKCEcgdzFzLSjyhnWustoUELyyT8 Q/edit 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. Objectives: 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.
