About Natucate
About Natucate
We offer wilderness experiences and voluntary service all around the world, focusing on the domains nature conservation, environmental and animal protection. Our programmes include high education combined with practical experience and outdoor activities, aiming at reconciling nature with education.
Details
Have you ever wanted to research the flora and fauna of the Amazon? During this genetic research course called 'Genomics in The Amazon', you will learn the basics of field research, collect genetic samples from Amazonian wildlife and learn to extract, amplify, sequence and interpret it in a professional way. This course will not only provide you with the new knowledge but also with the necessary skills and technical know-how to employ genetic research tools independently in the field.
- Genetics enthusiasts
- Researchers
- Nature lovers
Requirements
- No prior knowledge required.
- Over 18 years old.
- Basic proficiency in English.
- A medical certificate concerning your state of health.
- A vaccination certificate.
Detailed Daily Program
Description
The scientific field of genetics revolutionised biological research – especially in the last few years since instruments for molecular analysis in mobile field research facilities were developed. This way hassles and barriers arousing from transporting DNA-samples to distant labs with the suitable equipment and know-how have been reduced. During your research adventure, you will learn to handle one of those new instruments, the USB-sized powerful sequencer MinION, as you will work with it on a regular basis. This way various practical research questions about wildlife ecology as well as natural history can be answered. After booking the course we will be in touch to help you with all the questions and insecurities leading to the course.
You will learn:
- Techniques in data collection and documentation – both independently as well as in a team.
- Techniques of sample collection from Amazonian wildlife, especially primates.
- Sample storage
- DNA extraction
- Testing DNA quality and quantity
- Running basic PCRs (polymerase chain reactions)
- Exploring metagenomics:
- DNA fingerprinting
- Microbiome metagenomics
- Environmental DNA
Ready for an unforgettable research adventure?
*Please note that the courses are not simply safari excursions but require effort. However, if you are motivated and willing to learn something completely new, the challenges and tasks will be absolutely manageable. Additionally, we realise that everyone wants to see as many animals as possible in their natural environment. However, this depends on a number of factors that are mostly not under our control. Therefore please note that we make no guarantees that you will see a variety of animals, as nature doesn’t always give us what we want. Making such a guarantee would be unprofessional and against our corporate philosophy. However, we will do all in our power to enable you to have a wonderful experience.
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Arrival to Puerto Maldonado
After your arrival at Puerto Maldonado’s International Airport, you will go on a boat ride of about an hour to get to the field station in the Amazonian rainforest. After your arrival at the station you will have some time to get used to your new surroundings and will then be introduced to the programme that you’ll be a part of for the following weeks. This course is designed to impart a broad spectrum of knowledge about research methods and the Amazon region to you. This knowledge is essential for your work in the collection of biological data of the Amazonian wildlife as well as for its sequencing and evaluation.
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First case study I
The first study focus is on the DNA fingerprinting and you will learn to collect samples from the local flora and fauna, how to store them and extract genetic data from it as well as techniques for identification purposes.
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First case study II
The first study focus is on the DNA fingerprinting and you will learn to collect samples from the local flora and fauna, how to store them and extract genetic data from it as well as techniques for identification purposes.
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First case study III
The first study focus is on the DNA fingerprinting and you will learn to collect samples from the local flora and fauna, how to store them and extract genetic data from it as well as techniques for identification purposes.
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First case study IV
The first study focus is on the DNA fingerprinting and you will learn to collect samples from the local flora and fauna, how to store them and extract genetic data from it as well as techniques for identification purposes.
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Second case study I
Our second study deals with the question of whether captivity has an effect on the microbiome diversity of primates. In this context, you will not only improve your abilities in the collection, storage and extraction from DNA data, but you will also broaden your knowledge concerning methods of PCR amplification (polymerase chain reaction).
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Second case study II
Our second study deals with the question of whether captivity has an effect on the microbiome diversity of primates. In this context, you will not only improve your abilities in the collection, storage and extraction from DNA data, but you will also broaden your knowledge concerning methods of PCR amplification (polymerase chain reaction).
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Second case study III
Our second study deals with the question of whether captivity has an effect on the microbiome diversity of primates. In this context, you will not only improve your abilities in the collection, storage and extraction from DNA data, but you will also broaden your knowledge concerning methods of PCR amplification (polymerase chain reaction).
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Second case study IV
Our second study deals with the question of whether captivity has an effect on the microbiome diversity of primates. In this context, you will not only improve your abilities in the collection, storage and extraction from DNA data, but you will also broaden your knowledge concerning methods of PCR amplification (polymerase chain reaction).
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Environmental DNA I
Another focus of this project is on environmental DNA. In this third case study, you will also practice collecting and preparing samples, learn to extract material as well as sequence DNA and analyze it. In general, the course is designed to provide a mix of theoretical and practical lessons to participants.
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Environmental DNA II
Another focus of this project is on environmental DNA. In this third case study, you will also practice collecting and preparing samples, learn to extract material as well as sequence DNA and analyze it. In general, the course is designed to provide a mix of theoretical and practical lessons to participants.
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Environmental DNA III
Another focus of this project is on environmental DNA. In this third case study, you will also practice collecting and preparing samples, learn to extract material as well as sequence DNA and analyze it. In general, the course is designed to provide a mix of theoretical and practical lessons to participants.
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Environmental DNA IV
Another focus of this project is on environmental DNA. In this third case study, you will also practice collecting and preparing samples, learn to extract material as well as sequence DNA and analyze it. In general, the course is designed to provide a mix of theoretical and practical lessons to participants.
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Environmental DNA V
Another focus of this project is on environmental DNA. In this third case study, you will also practice collecting and preparing samples, learn to extract material as well as sequence DNA and analyze it. In general, the course is designed to provide a mix of theoretical and practical lessons to participants.
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Day 15 program
After the course is completed successfully every participant will receive a certificate. Depending on your university, you might also get credit points for this course. For more information about this, you should get advice from your student council or also ask your course counsellor. We will support you with this process.
Tools and Equipment
What We Provide
- Assistance with travel arrangements.
- Assistance with selecting travel insurance.
- Pre-departure information pack.
- Course-related equipment.
- Assistance with vaccinations
Bring Your Own
- Travel insurance
- Visa (if needed).
- Robust clothing and sturdy shoes.
13 Pictures of the Genomics in the Amazon
About Puerto Maldonado
About Puerto Maldonado
Wikipedia doesn´t like to share the information at the moment.
The tropical rainforest in Peru is the backdrop for this wilderness experience. Additional boat excursions on the Madre de Dios river, river branch surveys and night hikes will make your wilderness experience in the Peruvian rainforest an unforgettable experience. This is an opportunity to research exotic flora and fauna right outside your door. Experienced scientists will provide you with valuable nature and species conservation expertise to further your professional career. The actual location in Peru differs per date, we will inform you in time.
During your time in the Wilderness Experience course, you will live and work in a field station within the Peruvian rainforest. There you will be accommodated with three other participants in a dorm room that is separated by gender. With your roommates, you will share an en-suite bathroom. In addition to that, the station is equipped with a lounge, a communal area and a dining room.
*You should be able to adjust to entirely unfamiliar standards of living in the future host country. Therefore, we would like to point out the importance of being flexible and adaptable regarding the accommodation and sanitary facilities provided by the project. Those are very basic and – depending on the project – cannot be compared to European standards. The equipment and furnishings are limited to a minimum; air conditioning is not available. Power blackouts or water outrages might occur occasionally – depending on where you are.
