VietNamNet Bridge - With a technology of identifying species - DNA barcoding – scientists can identify species and their origins with just a very small sample. The technology is now being used in Vietnam.

When sorting and identifying species using morphological and biochemical methods, scientists sometimes meet difficulties because specimens are dead, damaged or their features have not been fully developed. 

This prompted scientists from Thai Nguyen University, headed by Dr Duong Van Cuong, to use DNA barcoding technology by Paul Hebert from Guelph University in Vietnam to fix the problem.

Vietnam is rich in fauna and flora, but many species still don’t have DNA barcode data. Scientists hope that the method, which has been improved to fit Vietnamese conditions, will help provide deeper insight into taxonomy at the species level and contribute to the process of classification, identification and demarcation among species. 

DNA barcoding is a taxonomic method that uses a short genetic marker in an organism's DNA to identify it as belonging to a particular species. “DNA barcode is important evidence to prove the existence of a new species,” Cuong said

With a technology of identifying species - DNA barcoding – scientists can identify species and their origins with just a very small sample. The technology is now being used in Vietnam.

After six months of work, the research team has described the process of DNA barcoding to identify species. 

“To define species with DNA barcode sequence, it is necessary to collect and identify samples, get tissues from samples and extracts to get DNA. The target DNA sequence will be amplified by PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) and sequenced to create a barcode. Finally, barcodes will be entered into a data bank (Barcode), an online system which helps researchers collect, manage and analyse DNA barcodes,” explained VU Hoai Nam, a member of the research team.

Each item in Barcode comprises information about the classification name, images, and places where the species is found and barcode sequences. The information can be searched through Barcode by anyone in the world. It can be useful in many fields, such as environmental monitoring, food safety and medicine.

For example, DNA barcodes can be used to identify invasive larvae and new species, find out what species have caused bites, and verify plants or animal components in food.

The strong advantage of the method, according to Cuong, is that only a small piece of sample is needed for the analysis. 

“As for humans, just a few of strands of hair or nails would be enough,” he said.

Nam said the research team will use the method in classifying and identifying rare and precious species, thus helping gene preservation. It will also cooperate with herbal medicine companies to collect input materials for medicine production.

The scientists have joined forces with the Vietnam Indigenous Medical Institute to identify dong rieng do (Cannaceae) with DNA barcode. The plant can help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.

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