Hands-on Training Course on standard sampling and analysis methods for marine microbiomes and microplastics will take place in Cape Town and Pretoria on April 27 to May 04.

It targets students (MSc, PhD), postdoctoral fellows and other early career scientists from laboratories and universities along the Atlantic coast of Africa (North, West and South). Senior researchers/Group leaders are also welcome.

The training programme includes sampling at sea and in rivers for microbiomes and microplastics, the analysis of samples using imaging and sequencing methods, and best practices for safeguarding and sharing samples and data.

AtlantECO will cover expenses for accommodation and food during the training course, transport from Cape Town to Pretoria, and will help as much as possible for part of the travel expenses from/to your home location.

AtlantECO is organising an All Atlantic extension of the now classic Ocean Sampling Day (https://www.assembleplus.eu/research/ocean-sampling-day) with the aim to add 20 sampling sites bordering the South Atlantic Ocean. The training course is the occasion to train on common protocols for this activity and to share best practices for future observation programmes. It is also the opportunity to build a network of early career scientists along the Atlantic coast of Africa (North, West and South).