BioNet-PACINET Participates in Discussion about the use of DNA Barcoding for Species Identification

Participants of the Consortium for the Barcoding of Life meeting. SANBI, Cape Town, South Africa

In early April 2006, PACINET participated in a 2-day meeting on the use of DNA Barcoding. This informative meeting, attended by over 80 participants from 8 different countries, was held at the South Africian National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) within the stunningly beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, in Cape Town, South Africa. The workshop was jointly facilitated by the Consortium for the Barcoding of Life (CBOL) in partnership with, BioNet- International, BioNet-SAFRINET, the Alfred P Sloane Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation among others. The newly constructed buildings at Kirstenbosch are also the new home of the Global Invasive Species Program (GISP).

The aims of the CBOL discussion were to learn about "DNA barcoding" as a taxonomic tool, discuss its potential applications including what it should not be used for and examine the practical steps needed to initiate barcoding activities within an area such as southern Africa. The CBOL Consortium is committed to promoting global participation in the Barcoding Initiative and with this goal in mind; CBOL's Executive Committee is hoping to hold four outreach meetings in developing regions during 2006. The goals of these meetings are to:

• Disseminate information on DNA barcoding and its uses for science and society;
• Discuss possible barcoding initiatives that respond to national and regional needs;
• Begin the process of assessing priorities and needs related to barcoding projects; and
• Initiate the formation of regional networks for collaboration on barcoding projects.

If you would like to find out more about DNA Barcoding and the CBOL meeting, details can be found here.