Ancient Environmental Metagenomics (AEMG01) – Live Online Bioinformatics Course
Learn how to analyse ancient environmental DNA (aeDNA) and metagenomic sequencing data using modern bioinformatics workflows for quality control, taxonomic profiling, authentication, decontamination, assembly, and genomic analysis.
Ancient environmental DNA recovered from sediments, ice cores, archaeological deposits, and other environmental archives provides unique opportunities to reconstruct past ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental change.
However, these datasets present substantial computational challenges, including highly fragmented DNA, low sequencing coverage, complex mixtures of organisms, incomplete reference databases, post-mortem DNA damage, and modern contamination.
This practical course provides hands-on training in the bioinformatics methods needed to move from raw ancient environmental sequencing reads to authenticated taxonomic and genomic results.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
- Understanding of ancient environmental DNA and metagenomic sequencing workflows
- Practical experience with quality control, adapter trimming, host removal, and read processing using fastp and cutadapt
- Taxonomic profiling using Kraken and sourmash
- Skills in constructing and optimising reference databases for mammals, plants, microbes, fungi, and invertebrates
- Methods for authenticating ancient environmental DNA and taxonomic assignments
- Experience using mapDamage and PMDtools to assess post-mortem DNA damage
- Strategies for detecting and removing contamination using decontam, negative controls, and Recentrifuge
- Experience with metagenome de novo assembly and authentication of assembled contigs
- Practical use of the aeMeta workflow for ancient environmental metagenomics
- Application of PCA and UMAP to population genomic and ancient environmental datasets
COURSE FORMAT
- 25 hours of training
- Live online
- Hands-on bioinformatics using real-world datasets
- Practical exercises throughout
- Strong focus on complete, research-ready workflows
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
- Bioinformaticians and computational biologists
- Ancient DNA and palaeogenomics researchers
- Metagenomics and environmental DNA researchers
- Evolutionary biologists and population genomic researchers
- Ecologists and palaeoecologists
- Microbiologists
- PhD students and researchers working with ancient or environmental sequencing data
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
Ancient environmental metagenomic data require specialised bioinformatics approaches that go beyond conventional metagenomic analysis.
Researchers must distinguish authentic ancient DNA from modern contamination, account for post-mortem damage and fragmented sequences, construct appropriate reference databases, and validate taxonomic assignments before drawing biological conclusions.
This course provides practical experience across the complete computational workflow, giving participants the skills needed to process, authenticate, analyse, and interpret ancient environmental metagenomic datasets.
COURSE DETAILS
Course dates: 23–27 November 2026
Duration: 25 hours
Format: Live online
Registration: £400
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QUESTIONS?
Email: [email protected]