Exciting Free Training Course: Apply for the Environmental DNA (eDNA) Training for Africa and the Adjacent Island States

Ednah Carrick August 7, 2025

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Closing Date: 24 August 2025

Exciting Free Training Course: Apply for the Environmental DNA (eDNA) Training for Africa and the Adjacent Island States

Summary

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and analysis have become an increasingly popular tool for studying biodiversity and monitoring ecosystems. It provides a relatively easy, non-invasive method to scan environments; estimate number of species, assess biodiversity, and monitor changes in a community without having to collect organism samples. Additionally, eDNA has the potential to inform on the movements and habitat associations of endangered/rare species, migratory species, water quality, detecting and tracking invasive species, harmful algal blooms, pathogens, and parasites.

eDNA uses traces of genetic materials that organisms leave behind in water, soil, or air. Regardless of its wide application, knowledge of this technique is still underused in several parts of the world, such as in Africa. Marine ecosystems of Africa and the adjacent island states are teeming with biodiversity, including 439 key marine biodiversity areas. These ecosystems are facing significant threats from climate change, overexploitation, invasive species, urbanization, and other factors, as such, impact on biodiversity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accelerate the understanding of African biodiversity patterns and monitor ecosystems more efficiently. Implementing eDNA techniques in biodiversity assessment in African countries is a promising opportunity to maximize the conservation and management of marine life.

In this context, this blended Environmental DNA (eDNA) training aims to provide participants with a comprehensive theoretical understanding of environmental DNA (eDNA) and its applications in environmental sciences. It will cover all relevant aspects from eDNA sampling, laboratory and bioinformatic analysis, data analysis of results and possible application. The participants will learn about the origins of eDNA, how it enters the environment, and its significance in measuring biodiversity. The free training course will give an overview of eDNA, including its definition and different ecosystems where it can be studied with a specific focus on marine ecosystems.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the participants are expected to have:

Increased understanding of the eDNA technology and its practical application.
Enhanced skills in the collection and preservation of eDNA samples.
Practical knowledge and skills in the extraction of eDNA samples.
Insights on the analysis of eDNA data, and use of bioinformatics tools.
Knowledge of utilization of eDNA technique in assessing marine biodiversity and monitoring ecosystems.

Target audience

The Environmental DNA (eDNA) training is focused on ocean practitioners from West and North African countries, including Early Ocean Career Professionals (ECOPs) and mid-career ocean scientists interested in and needing to use eDNA in their scientific or technical work.

Pre-requisites

Participants must:

Have prior knowledge of marine biodiversity sampling and monitoring.
Bring their laptop.
A working knowledge of English.
Applicants must be from West or North Africa.

Course content

Module 1: Introduction to eDNA

Module 2: Molecular methods for eDNA

Module 3: Bioinformatics and Data Management

Language of instruction: English

Course Duration, Synchronous Sessions, and Format

The course will take place face-to-face between 3 to 7 November, 2025, with a duration of approximately 40 hours. The course has an online learning component to be completed before the onsite classes of approximately 12h.

Participants will be required to:

Complete online self-paced learning activities before the onsite classes.
Familiarize themselves with the documentation and methods shared by the group previously.

Organizers

This course is organized by UNESCO IOC IOC Sub Commission for Africa & the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) with the support of the UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy RTC Belgium and RTC Ghana (University of Ghana), and co-sponsored by the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility. The online resources used in this course were created by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS, part of UNESCO-IOC) within the Pacific Islands Marine bioinvasions Alert Network (PacMAN) project, and adapted by local experts for this training.

Application process and selection criteria

Before starting the online application process, applicants must: (a) create a profile in OceanExpert (www.oceanexpert.org); (b) prepare a Curriculum Vitae; and (c) prepare a motivational statement highlighting the relevance of this course for the candidate’s career (maximum 300 words).

A limited number of seats are available (20 seats). UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Assessment & Certificate

Participants will be required to complete a preparation phase online before the course, attend all sessions of the face-to-face training in Ghana, and successfully complete the course activities and assessments. A certificate of completion will be issued for those who complete these requisites.

Contacts

Course Coordinators: Ibukun Adewumi [email protected]; Edwin Mwashinga [email protected]
OTGA Secretariat: [email protected]

Costs

Free of charge. There are no tuition fees. For the selected participants, course organizers will cover the costs of travel, accommodation, local transport, and food. Eligibility for support requires meeting the pre-requisites and target audience. The instructors will give the course voluntarily.