Forschungsinfrastruktur

ABOL (Austrian Barcode of Life) Coordination

Wien | Website

Short Description

ABOL is a network of experts and institutions which aims to record the genetic diversity of all Austrian animal, plant and fungi species via DNA barcodes. Data generated in ABOL is freely accessible and provides a valuable basis for fast and reliable species determination by DNA barcoding for numerous applications. ABOL is a platform promoting biodiversity Research with Bridge Building function to applications and politics.

Contact Person

Nikolaus Szucsich

Research Services

Biodiversity Research via the DNA barcoding approach.

Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure

DNA barcoding is a standardized method for the identification of organisms based on specific sections of their genetic material (DNA). DNA barcoding therefore uses sections of specific genes that differentiate species. Thus, these DNA sequences (DNA barcodes) enable to unambiguously assign the DNA to a certain species. In a first step, barcodes of taxonomically classified organisms are inferred and stored in a reference database. These DNA barcodes are then made available for comparisons. Identifying an unknown sample “simply” requires sequencing the DNA barcode section and comparing it with the sequences held in the reference database. This is how DNA barcoding enables quick and reliable species determinations. Nonetheless, the success of the determination depends on how comprehensive the reference database is and on its quality.


ABOL - Related Research Infrastructures:

- University of Graz: Keyence VHX-5000 Digitalmikroskop,
https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/de/fi/keyence-vhx-5000-digitalmikroskop_3548
- University of Graz: DNA-Barcoding-Infrastruktur an österreichischen Universitäten,
https://forschungsinfrastruktur.bmbwf.gv.at/de/fi/dna-barcoding-infrastruktur-an-osterreichischen-universitaten_3873
- University of Graz: 24-capillary Genetic Analyzer

Equipment

• ABOL data base