Basics of ONTOLOGY

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 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 Uploading to BOLD.