2-DAY WORKSHOP ON DNA BARCODING IN PLANTS

🧬 Two-Day Interdepartmental Workshop on “DNA Barcoding in Plants”

Organized by the Departments of Botany and Biosciences
Assam Don Bosco University | 6^th & 8^th May 2025

To mark the celebration of DNA Day 2025, the Departments of Botany and Biosciences, Assam Don Bosco University, jointly organized a two-day interdepartmental workshop on “DNA Barcoding in Plants” on 6^th & 8^th May 2025. The workshop aimed to provide students and faculty with both theoretical insights and practical exposure to DNA barcoding techniques – a modern tool used in plant taxonomy and biodiversity research.

🌿 Workshop Overview

The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from 66 participants, including students and faculty members from reputed institutions such as Pandu College, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), Cotton University, Gauhati University, Assam Down Town University, and Bhattadev University. The resource person for the event was Dr. Akan Das, AGT, Biosciences, Guwahati Park, who shared his expertise on molecular tools and plant identification techniques.

🧪 Sessions and Activities

The workshop was structured into a balanced combination of lectures and hands-on training sessions:

• Day 1 Highlights
  • Session 1: Introduction to DNA Barcoding – Concepts, Applications, and its Importance in Biodiversity Studies.
  • Session 2: Field Session – Guidelines for Plant Sample Collection and On-site Data Recording at the Tapesia Campus.
  • Session 3: Laboratory Work -DNA Extraction and Gel Electrophoresis for Quality Assessment at the Department of Biosciences.
• Day 2 Highlights
  • Session 1: Introduction to PCR and Barcoding Markers.
  • Session 2: Hands-on Training – PCR Reaction Setup, Amplification, and Introduction to Sanger Sequencing.
  • Session 3: DNA Sequence Analysis-Building Phylogenetic Trees and Understanding Applications in Species Identification.
  • The workshop concluded with a closing ceremony and tea session, marking the end of an enriching academic experience.

🌱 Outcome

The workshop provided participants with practical laboratory skills and conceptual clarity on the applications of DNA barcoding in ecological and taxonomic research. It also fostered interdepartmental collaboration and academic networking among participating institutions.

The Departments of Botany and Biosciences expressed gratitude to Dr. Akan Das for his valuable guidance, and to all participants for their active involvement in making the event a success. The program served as a model for future academic engagements blending theory, fieldwork, and molecular biology applications.