About the course
This course introduces students to state-of-the-art methods in macroalgal taxonomy and phylogeny. Through real case studies and ongoing research projects from around the world, students will explore contemporary challenges and approaches in modern phycology.
With the participation of leading international experts in macroalgal taxonomy and systematics—researchers actively reshaping current classification frameworks—the course will present the principal methods used to identify species, with special emphasis on current challenges and recent advances in macroalgal classification. Sessions will include lectures, fieldwork and laboratory exercises.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Collect, preserve, and analyze macroalgal specimens using up to date protocols.
- Identify and classify macroalgal species using morphological, molecular and ecological data.
- Construct and interpret phylogenetic trees based on different levels of DNA sequencing and use species delimitation methods.
- Be able to understand and articulate the implications of recent advancements in macroalgal taxonomy and systematics.
Tentative Schedule
Day 2 and 3 may be exchanged (weather dependent)
Day 1 - 07.09.26
09:00 - Arrival to Espegrend
09:30 - Welcome, each one present himself (all)
10:00 - Lecture 01 Current Issues in Macroalgae Classification: Insights from Norwegian Phycology (Goecke)
11:00 - Lecture 02 Ecology and ecological functions of macroalgae (Molis)
12:00 - Lunch
13:00 - Lecture 03 Global overview of the diversity, taxonomy and phylogenetics of the red algal order, Bangiales (Brodie)
14:00 - Lecture 04 Artsdatabanken project nr. 16-21 - Ectocarpales (Sjøtun)
15:00 - Lecture 05 Cladophorales: identification, systematics and ecology (Leliaert)
Day 2 - 08.09.26
09:00 - Lecture 06 / Lab work Artsdatabanken project nr. 6-24 – Marine microfilamentous green algae (Goecke)
12:00 - Lunch
13:00 - Lecture 07 New Artsdatabanken project – Ulvophyceae (Steinhagen)
14:00 - Lecture 08 Phylogenetic methods: Introduction and exercises on basic DNA sequence analysis (alignment, tree building), exercises
Day 3 - 09.09.26
08:00 - Fieldtrip + Lab Identification procedures – overview, analysis and conservation (all)
12:00 - lunch
13:00 - Lab (all)
---
18:30 Pizza night (dinner), Lecture 09 EULVA project (De Clerck)
Day 4 - 10.09.26
09:00 - Lecture 10 Species delimitation methods, exercises (Leliaert)
12:00 - Lunch
13:00 - Lecture 11 Plastid genomes in algal classification, exercices (De Clerck)
Day 5 - 11.09.26
09:00 - Lecture 12 Environmental sequencing (Verbruggen)
11:00 - Lecture 13 Trait and morphological evolution (Verbruggen)
13:00 - Conclusions, students feedback, goodbye, departure
Target group
PhD students, Master’s students and undergraduate students with an interest in macroalgal taxonomy, systematics and phylogeny.
Language
English
Teachers
- Juliet Brodie (Natural History Museum, UK)
- Olivier De Clerck (Ghent University, Belgium)
- Franz Goecke (Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU, Norway)
- Frederik Leliaert (Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium)
- Markus Molis (Arctic University of Norway, UiT, Norway)
- Kjersti Sjøtun (University of Bergen, UiB, Norway)
- Sophie Steinhagen (University of Gothenburg, Sweden & University Museum, University of Bergen, UiB, Norway)
- Heroen Verbruggen (Spanish Institute of Oceanography, CSIC-IEO, Spain)
Admission to the course
Number of students
Maximum 10 students
Eligibility and prerequisites
A prior knowledge of bioinformatics is desirable.
How to apply
Applications are now closed
Selection process
Priority will be given to students and BIOCORE members.
Results of the selection process will be announced by email around the beginning of June.
Contact
Micah Dunthorn, Professor, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo