Conservation Genetics: fundaments and applications
Event
Conservation genetics is a scientific field that deals with the application of genetics to understand and reduce the risk of population and species extinctions. It is both a fundamental and an applied science. It aims to preserve and manage the genetic diversity – and thus evolutionary capacity - of populations and species, by combining fundaments in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, population genetics, mathematical modeling, and ecology. Topics include inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, genetic management, and the use of genetic markers to aid in species and individual identification, to resolve taxonomic uncertainties, to understand species biology, and in wildlife forensics. This introductory course is composed by lectures, practical lessons, discussion forums and field trips, including multiple national and international guest lecturers. The course will be held at the Biological Station of Mértola, located in the Guadiana Valley Natural Park, a biodiversity hotspot area and bird-watch sanctuary where the Iberian lynx has been re-introduced.
March 31st, 2025
Estação Biológica de Mértola, Mértola (Face-to-face)
Conservation genetics is a scientific field that deals with the application of genetics to understand and reduce the risk of population and species extinctions. It is both a fundamental and an applied science. It aims to preserve and manage the genetic diversity – and thus evolutionary capacity - of populations and species, by combining fundaments in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, population genetics, mathematical modeling, and ecology. Topics include inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, genetic management, and the use of genetic markers to aid in species and individual identification, to resolve taxonomic uncertainties, to understand species biology, and in wildlife forensics. This introductory course is composed by lectures, practical lessons, discussion forums and field trips, including multiple national and international guest lecturers. The course will be held at the Biological Station of Mértola, located in the Guadiana Valley Natural Park, a biodiversity hotspot area and bird-watch sanctuary where the Iberian lynx has been re-introduced.
PROGRAM
Day I.
Conservation genetics & genomics
• Genetic variation in natural populations
• Molecular methods overview: first, second and third generation sequencing
Practical exercises
Day II.
Fundaments in population genetics
• HWE and genetic diversity
• Effective population size (Ne), genetic drift and migration
Practical exercises
Day III.
Field trip
Day IV.
Conservation and management
• Natural selection and population structure
• Demography and extinction, and exploited populations
Practical exercises
Day V.
Conservation in practice
• Conservation breeding and restoration
• Genetic monitoring
CALENDAR
5 days - 35h (Friday all day) - Schedule: 09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:30
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Coordination
Soraia Barbosa | BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO
Paulo Célio Alves | FCUP/ BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO-InBIO
Invited instructors
Matthew P Hare | Cornell University
Matthew P Hare | Cornell University
Ricardo J Lopes | FCUL
SELECTION CRITERIA
The course will be open to a maximum number of 20 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)
APPLICATION
Deadline: 10/03/2025
To apply fill the FORM
A copy of the form will be sent to the email address you provide as proof that you have successfully submitted your application. Results will be emailed to you within 8 working days of the application deadline.
REGISTRATION
95€ (students) | 200€ (other participants).
BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%. Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs
(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).
MORE INFORMATION
The selected BIODIV (FCUP) students will have their travel and accommodation expenses covered (more information will be available with the results of the application).
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.