.. _about:

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Basics of ONTOLOGY
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ONTOLOGY is an end-to-end platform for **DNA Barcoding** and **Metabarcoding** workflows, which include sample preparation, processing, and bioinformatic analysis. 

ONTOLOGY kits come as *batches*—a set of plates with a unique six-digit alpha-numeric code recognized by the software. Each plate in the batch has a batch code and the unique plate ID (from 1 to 24) printed on it.

ONTOLOGY is designed around the analysis of multiplexed samples pooled into a single **run** of a sequencer. Thus, the unit of analysis in ONTOLOGY is the **run**.

ONTOLOGY workflows are divided into three phases: 

* **PREPARE:** Initiate run; upload metadata and images (images for **DNA Barcoding** only)	
* **IMPLEMENT:** Complete molecular laboratory tasks
* **ANALYZE:** Analyze sequence data using **DNA Barcoding** or **Metabarcoding** workflows; view run summary; For **DNA Barcoding** - upload barcode sequences and images to repository (BOLD)

If you want to use our example dataset, you should then have a look at the :ref:`Tutorial <tutorial>` section, which provides instructions on how to download this data.

To submit your **DNA Barcoding** data package to BOLD once the run has finished, please refer to :ref:`Uploading to BOLD <BOLD_upload>`.