Workshop2006

The first LepTree ATOL molecular systematics workshop was held on the University of Maryland campus during the week of June 5 - 9, 2006. The course was taught by Dr. Jerry Regier and Akito Kawahara. The Laboratory workshop focused on the generation of DNA sequence data sets for molecular systematics projects (especially those pertaining to Lepidoptera), emphasizing the use of protein-coding nuclear genes. The workshop included practicing hands-on molecular laboratory techniques and disussions.

All participants successfully extracted nucleic acids, conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Nested- and M13- PCR re-amplifications, ran analytical and preparatory electrophoresis gels, and extracted sequences from bands. Discussions focused on primer design, editing and assembling sequence chrmoatograms, and problems with contamination. The workshop also visited the University of Maryland Alcohol Tubes of Lepidoptera (ATOLep) frozen collection and the UMBI core molecular sequencing facility.

Ten international scientists attended the 2006 workshop:
Michelle Dacosta (U. of Minnesota), Steven Davis (U. of Kansas), Jason Dombroskie (U. of Alberta), Ashley Dowling (U. of Kentucky), Todd Gilligan (The Ohio State U.), James Hayden (Cornell U.), Stephanie Johnson (U. of Maryland), Edda Martinez (Mississippi State U.), Lisa Leadbeater (Univ. College, London), Andreas Zwick (CSIRO, Australia).

The course will be held again in 2007, with a fewer number of spaces available. For further information, contact Jerry Regier through his LepTree contact form or at 301-405-7679.