About ONTOLOGY
What is ONTOLOGY?
ONTOLOGY is an integrated package of user-friendly software and laboratory consumables that simplifies and standardizes DNA-based species identification. By greatly simplifying multiplexing — adding unique molecular indices (UMIs) to samples — and demultiplexing — bioinformatically recognizing UMIs — ONTOLOGY makes high-throughput DNA-based species identification accessible to anyone with a basic molecular lab. ONTOLOGY contains two main software modules—DNA barcoding and metabarcoding. Both modules operate in 96-well plate format.
DNA Barcoding
This workflow facilitates the identification of individual specimens and the creation of a DNA barcode reference library. ONTOLOGY guides metadata (specimen information and photographs) preparation and upload before users extract DNA and then amplify each extract with the ONTOLOGY PCR plates. Following sequencing, reads are demultiplexed and a consensus barcode sequence is produced for each specimen, but non-target sequences are also retained. Sequences and metadata can be uploaded to BOLD from within ONTOLOGY.
Metabarcoding
The ONTOLOGY metabarcoding workflow facilitates the identification of species in ‘mixed’ samples. These can be bulk samples of intact specimens—like from a Malaise trap—or environmental DNA (eDNA) from soil or water. Sequences are clustered and taxonomy is assigned to each consensus sequence. The user receives tabular data containing species IDs for all detected taxa. A new centralized database—analogous to BOLD but for metabarcoding data—is under development as a repository for these data.
Our Team
The ONTOLOGY development team brings decades of experience in software design, bioinformatics, and molecular biology.
Robin Floyd
Molecular Biology
Robin is an experienced and broadly trained molecular biologist. His PhD from the University of Edinburgh was followed by positions at the British Antarctic Survey, the University of Bristol, and the University of Cambridge. Robin co-leads the CBG’s Innovation Unit and leads development of molecular protocols for ONTOLOGY.
Saeideh Jafarpour
Kit Production
Emine Ozsahin
Software & Bioinformatics
Emine is a molecular biologist and bioinformatician with a PhD in molecular genetics from Karadeniz Technical University, with research conducted at Wageningen University & Research, and advanced training at the University of Guelph. She is the lead software developer for ONTOLOGY.
Sean Prosser
Bioinformatics
Ken Thompson
Project Coordination
Ken is a biodiversity scientist with a PhD from The University of British Columbia and completed post-doctoral work at Stanford University. He is the project coordinator for ONTOLOGY and works with all team members to advance the project’s goals and catalyze synergy between the various components. He facilitates communication, aligns efforts across teams, and helps keep momentum strong and progress on track.
Robin Floyd
Molecular Biology
Saeideh Jafarpour
KIT PRODUCTION
Emine Ozsahin
Software & Bioinformatics
Sean Prosser
Bioinformatics
Ken Thompson
Project Coordination
Principal Investigator
Paul Hebert
CEO, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics
Paul Hebert is an evolutionary biologist whose research for the past 25 years has sought to advance understanding of the diversity, distribution, and interactions of animal species. He is the founder of both the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics and the International Barcode of Life Consortium. His 600+ publications have attracted over 120,000 citations. He received the 2018 Heineken Prize for the Environment, the 2020 MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity, the 2024 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth & Environmental Science, and the 2025 Nobel Sustainability Trust Award for Outstanding Research and Development in the Field of Biodiversity.