PUBLICATION: Proficiency testing and cross-laboratory method comparison to support standardisation of diatom DNA metabarcoding for freshwater biomonitoring

by Kálmán Tapolczai |

A new study addressing the need for standardized DNA-based methods in freshwater diatom biomonitoring has been published recently. The study organized proficiency tests and method comparison experiments involving multiple laboratories from 14 countries to evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of DNA metabarcoding protocols. Samples were prepared and distributed to participating labs, which then applied their DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing procedures. The resulting data were analyzed to assess consistency in species detection and ecological status assessment.

Results indicated that, with standardized protocols, DNA metabarcoding can produce reproducible and reliable data across different laboratories. The study emphasizes the importance of proficiency testing schemes and inter-laboratory comparisons to ensure quality assurance in DNA-based biomonitoring. The authors advocate for the integration of DNA metabarcoding alongside traditional morphological methods to enhance freshwater monitoring programs.

In conclusion, this research supports the adoption of standardized DNA metabarcoding protocols for diatom-based freshwater biomonitoring, highlighting the method’s potential to complement and improve current monitoring practices.

The study has been published in Metabarcoding & Metagenomics where it is freely accessible.

Vasselon V, Rivera SF, Ács É, Almeida SB, Andree KB, Apothéloz-Perret-Gentil L, Bailet B, Baričević A, Beentjes KK, Bettig J, Bouchez A, Capelli C, Chardon C, Duleba M, Elersek T, Genthon C, Jablonska M, Jacas L, Kahlert M, Kelly MG, Macher J-N, Mauri F, Moletta-Denat M, Mortágua A, Pawlowski J, Pérez-Burillo J, Pfannkuchen M, Pilgrim E, Pissaridou P, Rimet F, Stanic K, Tapolczai K, Theroux S, Trobajo R, Van der Hoorn B, Vasquez MI, Vidal M, Wanless D, Warren J, Zimmermann J, Paix B (2025) Proficiency testing and cross-laboratory method comparison to support standardisation of diatom DNA metabarcoding for freshwater biomonitoring. Metabarcoding and Metagenomics 9: e133264. https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.9.133264