Choosing a workflow

DNA Barcoding and Metabarcoding workflows

The first fundamental choice made by the user is whether to use the DNA Barcoding or Metabarcoding workflow. Users assessing single specimens will use DNA Barcoding and users assessing bulk samples will use Metabarcoding.

Each workflow follows a similar sequence and ends with bioinformatic analysis, though there are major notable differences:

• The DNA Barcoding workflow (Standard and Advanced mode) provides steps to Prepare, Implement, and Analyze. Metabarcoding only provides Prepare and Analyze steps, leaving Implement (the benchwork needed for sequencing preparation) to the user.

• DNA Barcoding allows users to upload Specimen Images (individuals) and Array Images (bulk specimens) in Standard and Advanced modes to accompany DNA barcode sequence data.

• In Standard and Advanced mode, DNA Barcoding provides materials and explicit instructions for specimen preparation prior to sequencing (i.e., the ‘Implement’ stage). For the Metabarcoding Workflow (and DNA Barcoding “Custom mode”), ONTOLOGY provides general guides to Implement (available on Show Implement button on the left hand side) and the user must follow their own laboratory preparation protocol using reagents appropriate for their study.