In line with the ongoing Project of MSU-Naawan, “Application of eDNA metabarcoding in faunal biodiversity assessment of Indo-Pacific mangroves vulnerable to climate change: Philippine node”, which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) under the east-Asia Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP), Dr. MARCELINO U. SILADAN, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Forestry and Environment Research Division, DOST-PCAARRD; Dr. VENUS E. LEOPARDAS, the Project Leader, and Dr. RUBY C. GONZALES, Project Staff and Research Director, visited the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan from May 15–17, 2023 for the conduct of Benchmarking on Technology of Evaluating Mangrove Ecosystems through eDNA Metabarcoding. The benchmarking is mainly facilitated by PROF. DR. TADASHI KAJITA from the Tropical Biosphere Research Center (TBRC) of the University, and principal investigator for the e-ASIA JRP project, together with his project assistant, Assistant Prof. Dr. Yukinobo Isowa.

The goal of the visit is to first learn about the technology or processes used by the UR to analyze mangrove ecosystems using an evolutionary method such as environmental DNA metabarcoding, which is non-invasive, has excellent capabilities, is easy, fast, and economical. The second goal is to determine how the UR can undertake biodiversity analysis based on environmental DNA data, such as factors to evaluate the function of mangrove ecosystems, by metabarcoding eDNA. And to document processes, facilities, and technologies in eDNA metabarcoding that will be relevant in the execution of MSU-Naawan's PCAARRD-funded project.

The team would also want to explore different bioinformatics prospects on eDNA next-generation sequencing datasets and Philippine eDNA-related funded projects, as well as gather information on UR laboratory and other facilities as a reference for future MSU-Naawan facility improvements. The eDNA Project will use this great opportunity to connect possible collaborations/partnerships in Research and Development and Science and Technology with the University of the Ryukyus, MSU-Naawan, and DOST-PCAARRD.

For more information about this benchmarking, you may contact Dr. Leopardas at her email: venus.leopardas@msunaawan.edu.ph.