Dr Srđan Miletić and Dr Miloš Ćirić visited INRAE in their short-term scientific mission (November – December 2023)

 Two researchers from UB-ICTM, Dr Srđan Miletić and Dr Miloš Ćirić, participated in the short-term on-site training at UMR Carrtel (INRAE) in the period November-December 2023. The research unit in Thonon-les-Bains (France) has a strong experience in DNA metabarcoding of different groups (phytoplankton, benthic diatoms, fish, etc.). This facility hosts a specialized laboratory for molecular biology equipped with several PCR working stations, a robot for DNA extraction, PCR machines and a DNA gel imaging system. 

 

Dr Srđan Miletić’s first training at INRAE covered all steps of eDNA metabarcoding – phytoplankton sampling, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and confirmation of results by gel revelation. During the first part of his visit, Dr Miletić collected test samples of water from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) for eDNA metabarcoding of phytoplankton and prepared diatom samples (collected during the summer and autumn of 2023 from four lakes in Serbia) for DNA extraction. In the second half of his secondment, Srđan extracted DNA using DNA soil kit, accomplished PCR amplification and learned how to make gels for electrophoresis following protocols developed by INRAE staff. Finally, Dr Miletić processed the test phytoplankton samples under the supervision of INRAE experts. 

 

According to the plan of his second training at INRAE, Dr Miloš Ćirić processed the phytoplankton samples collected between two visits, and amplified DNA of diatoms obtained in the spring of 2023. During the first few days, he assisted Dr Clarisse Lemonier with the preparation of reagents for extraction and amplification steps. Later, his training was focused on the preparation of phytoplankton DNA for sequencing.   

 

All phytoplankton and diatom amplicons are ready for sequencing!