Molecular genetics laboratories
Analysis of DNA and RNA for research in evolutionary and population biology
The molecular genetics laboratories at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin provide a specialised research infrastructure for the analysis of DNA and RNA. They support research into population genetics, biogeography, evolutionary biology and systematics, and enable work to be carried out in close proximity to the scientific collection.
In the laboratories, nucleic acids are extracted from various sample materials, purified, amplified and prepared for further analysis. In addition to modern sequence analysis, facilities are also available for working with very old or sensitive material. The molecular genetics laboratories are closely linked to the Integrated Zoological Research Laboratory.
What are molecular genetics laboratories used for?
The molecular genetics laboratories are particularly well suited for:
- population genetic and evolutionary biological analyses
- systematic and taxonomic questions
- genome and transcriptome analyses
- studies on speciation and hybridisation
- molecular genetic work on collection material
- Ancient DNA analyses
- Interdisciplinary projects involving morphological and histological data
Contact
Dr Jörg Plötner
Head of Laboratory & Contact Person
Email: Joerg.Ploetner@mfn.berlin
Telephone: +49 30 889140-8508
Robert Schreiber
Laboratory Assistant
Email: robert.schreiber@mfn.berlin
Telephone: +49 30 889140-8502
Isabelle Waurick
Laboratory Assistant
Email: isabelle.waurick@mfn.berlin
Telephone: +49 30 889140-8376
Use and collaboration
The laboratory facilities are available to museum staff, students, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and visiting scholars. Use is permitted within the framework of joint research projects and subject to prior arrangement.
External researchers may also use the molecular genetics laboratories as part of collaborative projects. This is subject to the research being relevant to the museum’s research questions and subject to available capacity.
For enquiries regarding the use of the laboratory within the framework of scientific collaborations, please contact the relevant contact person.
Features
- QIAGEN QIAcubeHT & Biosprint (automated DNA extraction)
- ABI SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer (sequencer / fragment analysis)
- Agilent TapeStation (automated sample quality control)
- Thermo Fisher Qubit Fluorometer (DNA/RNA quantification)
- Sage Science BluePippin (DNA size selection)
- Formulatrix Mantis (microfluidic liquid dispenser)
- Qsonica Sonicator (ultrasonic processors)
- BMG FLUOstar Omega (fluorescence microplate reader)
- Syngene G:Box (gel electrophoresis documentation system)
- Separate work areas for pre- and post-PCR workflows
- Separate cleanroom for museomics/aDNA projects
- Service laboratory with autoclave, laboratory dishwasher and ultrapure water systems
Laboratory procedures and analytical methods
- DNA/RNA isolation
- Amplification/Barcoding (PCR)
- Library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- Microsatellite and fragment analysis
- Museomics/aDNA
Application in research and projects
Application in research and projects
æ Santos, B., Bordera, S. (2025). Phylogenomics and taxonomic revision of Stenarella Szépligeti (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny, 83, 463-511. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/asp.83.e151385
æ Baird, C.N., Ernst, M., Waurick, I., Blom, M.P.K., Bibi, F. (2023). Integrative taxonomy using historical specimens provides evidence for a single species of bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus (Mammalia: Bovidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 200(2), 532-546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad096
æ Josić, D., Çoraman, E., Waurick, I., Franzenburg, S., Ancillotto, L., Bajić, B., Budinski, I., Dietz, C., Görföl, T., Hayden Bofill, S.I., Presetnik, P., Russo, D., Spada, M., Zrnčić, V., Blom, M.P.K., Mayer, F. (2024). Cryptic hybridization between the ancient lineages of Natterer's bat ( Myotis nattereri ). Molecular Ecology, 33(13), e17411. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17411
æ Léger, T. (2024). Half of the Diversity Undescribed: Integrative Taxonomy Reveals 32 New Species and a High Cryptic Diversity in the Scopariinae and Crambinae of the Philippines (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Bulletin of the Society of Systematic Biologists, 3(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.18061/bssb.v3i2.9527
æ Hayden Bofill, S., Mayer, F., Thong, V.D. (2024). Bat diversity in the Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam - Results from VIETBIO field training and annotated species list.. Biodiversity Data Journal, 12, e119704. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e119704