REFBAR · Reinforcing network for enriched freshwater phytoplankton barcode library

The aim of REFBAR project is to create an International, Intersectoral and Interdisciplinary network to facilitate the exchange of staff to progress developments in eDNA metabarcoding and genetic reference library for freshwater plankton microalgae that can significantly enhance data quality, data quantity and usability across aquatic ecosystems in Europe and beyond. The focus will be on developing staff and partner skills in the areas of long-read sequencing, (meta)barcoding, and metadata standards coupled with improved molecular bioinformatics techniques which in turn will offer more reliable DNA reference library for eukaryotic and prokaryotic photoautotrophs. The consortium is comprised of an international network of beneficiaries and partners with internationally-recognized track record on metabarcoding and world leaders in development of eDNA filters and portable next-generation sequencing capabilities. The academic beneficiaries will benefit from gaining experience in the development of on-site filtering of eDNA, third generation sequencing and bioinformatics. Industrial staff will benefit from bi-lateral exchanges from the scientific domains of biosystematics and freshwater ecology that is necessary for developing innovative eDNA solutions from the first sampling step to bioinformatics pipeline.