Portable molecular diagnostics with the lab in a van

Over the first two days participants practiced DNA extraction from river water samples for characterisation of bacteria via 16S rRNA gene quantification and sequencing. A fieldtrip to the Ouseburn, a small river in Newcastle upon Tyne that flows through the city into the River Tyne, offered participants an opportunity to see the portable equipment in action. Using a ‘lab in a van’ set up, Hub colleagues assessed local river pollution issues, used different sampling methods, and carried out a comprehensive onsite analysis of the chemical and microbial water quality of the river near the outlet of the catchment.

Following that, the trainees practiced using bioinformatic tools for the interpretation of sequencing data and learned multivariate statistical analysis and quantitative microbial risk assessment methods. To finish off the weeklong workshop, colleagues held a one-day, hybrid research conference on water quality to showcase and share the excellent work being carried out on water quality in each of our collaboratory teams across the world. Researchers from NUMed are planning to now take to suitcase laboratory to the field in Cambodia and apply what they have learned at the water quality workshop.