CBOL Working Groups
Data Analysis Working Group: The mission of this new Working Group is to explore and develop ways of analyzing barcode data for the purpose of assigning individuals to species, discovering new species, and other appropriate purposes (see DAWG's Program of Work). Moreover, the Data Analysis Working Group will take the lead in developing tools for analyzing barcode data and in making these tools widely available. As the Barcode Database grows, this group will provide an increasingly useful resource for studying the dynamics of genetic variation within and among species. The new Data Analysis Working Group invites researchers from population geneticists, statisticians, bioinformaticists, applied mathematicians and computational biologists to join. This Working Group is chaired by Michel Veuille, Director of the Department of Systematics and Evolution in the National Museum of Natural History, Paris.
Database Working Group: The mission of the Database Working Group is to develop an open archive for DNA barcode sequences. We are currently working in collaboration with the NIH National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Sequence submissions to the barcode database include raw trace files and computed quality scores. Barcode reference sequences are derived from voucher specimens in accessible collections and thus include specimen identifiers, as well as a core subset of the voucher specimen's annotation. Linkages to the full specimen records also exist where ancillary specialty databases are available online. NCBI is developing a web-based tool to facilitate the bulk submission of Barcode data to populate this emerging new archive within GenBank. Chair Robert Hanner, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
DNA Working Group: The mission of the DNA Working Group is to provide the research community with tested and standardized approaches to barcoding. The DNA working Group has the primary mission of identifying protocols that reduce costs, speed analysis or aid barcode recovery from difficult specimens. This includes developing, testing, discussing and promoting protocols for acquiring genetic barcode sequences from diverse specimens, including older preserved museum specimens, and recommending the equipment and procedures required to do this work. Chair Paul Hebert, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Plant Working Group: The mission of the Plant Working Group is to develop and promote a coordinated approach to barcoding land plants. The Chair of the Plant Working Group is Pete Hollingsworth. The group is currently focussing on reaching agreement on the optimal barcoding regions for land plants.
Technology Development Working Group: A Technology Working Group is being formed to explore and promote faster, cheaper, and more portable systems for obtaining and using DNA barcode data. The Consortium for the Barcode of Life is particularly eager for private sector biotechnology companies and instrument manufacturers to participate in this Working Group. Interested parties should contact David Schindel Executive Secretary for the Consortium, to express their interest.