The BIOSCAN project, which started in 2021, now has 73 partners and 102 sites across the UK. The project is exploring insect diversity across the UK over a five-year period. The many partners use tent-like Malaise traps to collect insects that are then shipped to us at the Sanger Institute for sequencing. The project aims to create a baseline characterisation of insect species diversity and act as a fundamental resource for DNA-based biomonitoring in the UK.

BIOSCAN in action. Images credit: Carmen Denman Hume / Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Simplified stages of DNA barcoding and sample identification. Adapted from yourgenome.org.

One of the consistent things among researchers is that they all started in the same place – knowing absolutely nothing about genomics. While they are now experts in things such as sample preparation or sequence analysis, they once began as intrigued students that wanted to learn more. Engaging students early on in life can not only inspire careers in STEM but can also provide students with useful skills that can support them in the future. This includes both learning direct molecular biology techniques as well as interpersonal skills like teamwork.

During a recent visit to a partner school in Milton Keynes, we were able to observe the Barcoding for Beginners programme in full swing. As soon as we arrived, the students were eager to get out and collect their samples – despite the rain – checking under bins, in flower beds and in small crevices. The class then went through every step to get from their collected invertebrate to a DNA sample for sequencing. Along the way, the students learned new skills, such as micropipetting, DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis, all of which supports the theory they learn in class.

The amplified DNA barcodes are then sent to us here at Sanger for sequencing. Once this is complete, the DNA barcode sequences are sent back to the students to identify their invertebrates. There are plans to upload the students’ DNA sequence data to an integrated data collection and analysis environment called BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System). This platform is freely available to researchers around the world and aids in the organisation, validation and publication of barcoding data. It also plays a fundamental role in comparing sequences to each other and then clustering these together in a BIN (Barcode Index Number) which acts as a proxy for a new species.

This platform is also used for the BIOSCAN project, where over 3,000 unique BINs have gone into BOLD so far, thus contributing further to this database. These unique BINs could represent new species or different populations of the same species that have yet to be recorded. This reinforces the necessity for collaboration and open access of data as it takes a community, both scientists and students, to contribute to data diversity and scientific insights.

With a target of one million insects, the BIOSCAN team is still recruiting new partners across the UK to send us their samples for sequencing. One of the great things about the Sanger Institute is the ability to do genomics at scale – and barcoding is no exception to this. At our current rate of long-read sequencing, we are processing around 20,000 specimens per month – all of which is being done with only 0.1 microlitre of sample. The rest is being banked so that other future research can be conducted, such as population genetic studies. The team also envisions that in the future this type of work will be decentralised, with partners being able to sequence their samples locally, using portable sequencers like the MinION.

In the meantime, Wellcome Connecting Science is continuing to help recruit more schools to join the Barcoding for Beginners programme and hopefully encourage the next generation of scientists to contribute to projects similar to BIOSCAN in the future.