[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”How BIOSCAN is inspiring the next generation of researchers” header_fullscreen=”on” background_overlay_color=”rgba(20,20,24,0.58)” content_max_width=”47%” content_max_width_tablet=”” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”3.27″ title_letter_spacing=”7px” title_line_height=”1.4em” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/olive-trees-4253749.jpg” parallax=”on” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” title_letter_spacing_tablet=”0px” title_letter_spacing_phone=”0px” title_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n
\u201c<\/em>They were enlightened by the idea of discovering new species and by the possibility of <\/em>doing so<\/em> using DNA barcoding tool<\/em>s.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”13px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_margin=”22px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”15px” background_enable_image=”off” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”||1px|||”]<\/p>\n Written by: Dr. Michelle Lynn D’Souza<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”34px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_enable_image=”off” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”||1px|||”]<\/p>\n Three Lebanese researchers, motivated by a desire to understand their country\u2019s biodiversity, travelled to Canada for the first time in July to train with global leaders in DNA barcoding at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG).\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/MDK.png” _builder_version=”3.27″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Prof. Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin_tablet=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n Triggering scientific curiosity and interest in biodiversity is a significant, yet arguably underappreciated challenge faced by the research community. While it might be easier to garner enthusiasm for elephants, tigers, or wolves – the charismatic megafauna – it is a lot more difficult to encourage interest in tiny insects and insignificant plants. According to Lebanese researcher, Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat<\/a>, professor and department chair of the Faculty of Science at the University Saint-Joseph in Beirut, inspiring students can be one of her biggest challenges. \u201cIf I succeed to open even some students\u2019 eyes to the exceptional beauty of each creature and get them interested in the uniqueness of their adaptations, I consider my mission accomplished,\u201d said Prof. Kharrat, who also represents Lebanon on the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) Consortium’s\u00a0 Science Committee<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”33px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_enable_image=”off” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”||1px|||”]<\/p>\n As a plant geneticist interested in the phylogeny,\u00a0phylogeography,\u00a0and evolutionary processes that shape trees and flowering plants, Prof. Kharrat\u2019s research has been instrumental in defining conservation policies and forest ecosystem restoration strategies in the country. As iBOL\u2019s Lebanese Science Committee member, Prof. Kharrat is now embracing the world of insects, helping deploy several Malaise traps<\/a> in the mountains of Lebanon as a part of TRACE (Tracking the Response of Arthropods to Changing Environments)<\/a>, a major research theme within the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) Consortium\u2019s BIOSCAN<\/a> program.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1.MalaiseSetup.jpg” _builder_version=”3.27″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Malaise trap deployed in Bnabil, Lebanon by Prof. Kharrat’s group<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”|||-122px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px||20px|20px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n It was after an ecology lecture where Prof. Kharrat discussed iBOL and DNA barcoding that Edy Haoui and Pierre Malychev \u2013 two undergraduate students in Biology and Biochemistry \u2013 came to see her immediately. Prof. Kharrat said, \u201cThey were enlightened by the idea of discovering new species and by the possibility of doing so using DNA barcoding tools.\u201d Not too long after, the students were joined by Prof. Kharrat\u2019s molecular lab manager, Carole Saliba, and the trio installed their first Malaise trap in a remote area under oak and pine trees in Bnabil, a small village in Mount-Lebanon situated at 1,100 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″]<\/p>\n A few months later, on July 1st<\/sup>, Carole, Edy, and Pierre travelled to the CBG with several Malaise trap bottles full of insects from Lebanon, ready for a crash course in DNA barcoding. Under the guidance of CBG research scientist, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq<\/strong> the team quickly learned about the DNA barcoding workflow \u2013 from sorting insect specimens to databasing to sequence editing.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were very enthusiastic to learn insect taxonomy, a science which many biologists dread!\u201d said Dr. Ashfaq, who has been instrumental in developing the international training programs led by the CBG. \u201cTheir teamwork and support for each other through the process was marvellous,” he said.<\/p>\n They were apprehensive at first, not ever having worked with insects, and felt it might be impossible to learn all that is needed to identify and barcode so many specimens in such a short time. It was easy enough to reassure them having been in the very same position when I first began my master’s with Prof. Paul Hebert<\/strong><\/a>, director of the CBG. It didn\u2019t take long for them to feel as I had, that the Centre has an incredible training program and that the research staff who work across the barcoding pipeline are knowledgeable, patient, and passionate.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/2.SortingCollage.png” _builder_version=”3.27″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”98%” module_alignment=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Carole Saliba sorting Malaise trap specimens from Lebanon.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/3.EdyDatabasing.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.27″ width=”100%”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Edy Hauoi taking a break from databasing specimens.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”14px|||-174px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false”]<\/p>\n \u201cFrom day one we all had such amazing support from the whole CBG team and in just four weeks we learned the whole process of DNA barcoding,\u201d said Pierre. \u201cThe most interesting part was analyzing and editing DNA sequences obtained in the lab.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/4.PEPinning.jpg” _builder_version=”3.27″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Pierre\u00a0Malychev and Edy Hauoi working to finish pinning specimens in a Schmidt box.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”36px||57px|||”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″]<\/p>\n \u201cThis collaboration is a big opportunity for Lebanon to share its huge Middle Eastern biodiversity with the world for many years to come,\u201d added Edy.<\/p>\n While Edy and Pierre left after four weeks, Carole stayed on for another two weeks to get hands-on-training using the new DNA barcoding platform \u2013 mBRAVE<\/a> \u2013 developed to make working with high-throughput sequencing data more efficient. Carole learned how to use the cloud-based platform to deposit, analyze, and visualize metabarcoding data for an exciting new project<\/a> in her lab that aims to understand the diets of key animal species crucial for reforestation projects in Lebanon.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_css_main_element=”margin:suto;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/4.PierreTissueSampling.jpeg” _builder_version=”3.27″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Pierre\u00a0Malychev tissue sampling pinned specimens.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”10px||17px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″]<\/p>\n \u201cWe will implement what we have learned in our lab as well as try to encourage nearby nations to join efforts and be engaged in BIOSCAN,\u201d said Carole. \u201cMy six weeks of training has ended but, for me, this is just the beginning of a new and exciting chapter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_padding=”18px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ibol.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/5.PaulwTrainees.jpeg” _builder_version=”3.27″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#646564″ text_font_size=”14px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n Pierre\u00a0Malychev, Carole Saliba, Paul Hebert, and Edy Hauoi (left to right) at the end of their visit to the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.27″ custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”|||-144px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||20px|20px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”]BIOSCAN is a huge opportunity for Lebanon, Prof. Kharrat has said. By joining a well-established program, researchers can scan and document their diversity faster and more effectively, and they can add an important and unique area of the Mediterranean region to the body of knowledge gathered by the Consortium.<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″]<\/p>\n \u201cBIOSCAN has truly captured the imagination of young Lebanese researchers,\u201d said Prof. Kharrat. \u201cThey are discovering how great ideas can gather support which can lead to tremendous change.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.27″ background_color=”rgba(100,101,100,0.07)”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.27″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ custom_padding=”|50px||50px|false|false”]<\/p>\n Other links:<\/strong><\/p>\n Video of the Research conducted at Saint-Joseph University on the Biodiversity of Lebanon<\/a><\/p>\n