Metabarcoding is a technique that allows for simultaneous species identification of different groups of taxa, from microbes to insects and vertebrates, including mammals, within a single sample, using short variable gene sequences. It is a versatile, powerful, and widely-used tool for uncovering hidden diversity and elucidating species interactions. It is also used for biodiversity monitoring. While it has traditionally been used to analyse microbial communities, the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become increasingly relevant for generating knowledge on multicellular life that supports conservation, restoration, and the sustainable management of ecosystems and natural resources.
iBarc is a support unit launched in 2024 and led by Martina Herrmann (Uni Jena), María Méndez and Henrique Pereira (iDiv core center/MLU). It offers iDiv researchers support for all steps of metabarcoding analyses, while strengthening the network among metabarcoding users across taxonomic target groups, career stages, and iDiv locations. iBarc aims to facilitate the integration of molecular data, ecological observations, and interdisciplinary expertise across taxa, ecosystems, and scales within the iDiv research landscape.
With a team of two Postdocs, María Méndez (iDiv core centre) and Nadine Möbius (Uni Jena), 12 Co-PIs, a scientific network with 63 members, and cutting-edge laboratory facilities, the support unit offers assistance and expertise throughout all steps of a metabarcoding project, and across a broad range of taxonomic groups (see figure below). Ready-to-use sequence analysis pipelines are available to run in RStudio and are currently being made accessible on the EVE cluster.
In addition to individual collaborations and training, iBarc organises hands-on courses on molecular laboratory work and sequence data analyses and brings people together in metabarcoding-focused workshops. A recent course on the use of Oxford Nanopore Sequencing in metabarcoding, organized by María Mendez and Stefanos Siozios (Symbiont Evolution Group) in early 2026 was met with very positive feedback and as such, the iBarc teaching portfolio was expanded. So far, almost 20 projects across iDiv locations have benefited from various types of iBarc support (see figure below), covering a broad range of taxonomic groups and sample types.
Beyond iBarc’s methods-oriented support, the unit is very interested in fostering collaborations among iDiv researchers across disciplines and taxonomic groups. iBarc also hopes to support the initiation or development of research initiatives centred around molecular biodiversity assessments. If metabarcoding feels like the next step for your biodiversity research project, and if you want to join the iBarc metabarcoding network, please contact ibarc@idiv.de!
Please find below some upcoming opportunities to learn more about iBarc’s support and to engage with the iBarc network:
- iBarc workshop at this year’s iDiv conference in Jena (register when signing up for the iDiv conference!)
- Illumina sequence data analysis course in late 2026 in Jena (watch out for announcements!)
- Lunch meetings to discuss metabarcoding-related questions among iDiv researchers (upcoming soon)
Contact: Martina Herrmann, martina.herrmann@uni-jena.de ; Nadine Möbius, nadine.moebius@uni-jena.de