- Course overview
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- Environmental DNA
- DNA metabarcoding and its applications
- DADA2 for analysing metabarcoding data
- Taxonomic classification to assess biodiversity
- Statistics principles in data analysis
- Advances in biodiversity exploration
- Open data resources for eDNA
- Bringing data to life: Data management and sharing
- Further learning
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- References
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DNA degradation
DNA degradation is a critical concern in DNA metabarcoding, as it can compromise the ability to accurately identify and quantify taxa. Factors contributing to DNA degradation include exposure to high temperatures, UV radiation, and enzymatic activity, which can occur during sample collection, transport, and storage.
Degraded DNA may result in incomplete sequences, leading to misidentification or failure to detect certain organisms. To mitigate these issues, immediate preservation and proper storage conditions are essential. Additionally, using DNA repair techniques and optimising PCR conditions can sometimes salvage degraded samples, ensuring that valuable data is not lost. Understanding and controlling for DNA degradation is fundamental to the reliability and accuracy of metabarcoding studies.
You can now proceed to the next page to explore the DNA extraction process and learn how to select the right method or kit for your eDNA project.