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.

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Sean Prosser

Bioinformatics

Sean started his career as a molecular virologist and completed an MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Guelph. He has worked at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics studying molecular biodiversity since for over 15 years. He has years of experience developing both molecular methods and bioinformatic pipelines. He co-leads the CBG’s Innovation Unit and is the lead bioinformatician for ONTOLOGY.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Saeideh Jafarpour

Kit Production

Saeideh is a mycologist with a background in fungal phylogenetics, holding a PhD in Mycology from the University of Tehran. Saeideh is a highly experienced molecular biologist and leads the production of ONTOLOGY kits as well as QA/QC.
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Nick Bard

Testing & Bioinformatics

Nick is a molecular ecologist with a PhD in Botany from The University of British Columbia. He has several years of experience developing and applying bioinformatic approaches to investigate questions related to the biodiversity and evolution of plants and fungi. Nick contributes to the development of ONTOLOGY’s bioinformatic components, is the primary software tester, and writes much of the technical documentation
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Robin Floyd

Molecular Biology

jafarpour saeideh

Saeideh Jafarpour

KIT PRODUCTION

ozsahin emine

Emine Ozsahin

Software & Bioinformatics

seanprosser

Sean Prosser

Bioinformatics

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Ken Thompson

Project Coordination

Principal Investigator

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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.

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