Molecular Variation of Rh, MN, Duffy, Kidd, Kell, and Lutheran Blood Groups in the Human Population of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Six blood groups (Rh, MN, Duffy, Kidd, Kell and Lutheran) were investigated among three major ethnic groups (Bosniaks, Bosnian Croats, and Bosnian Serbs) as well as ten regional subpopulations across Bosnia and Herzegovina (Krajina, Posavina, North-Eastern Bosnia, Eastern Bosnia, Middle Bosnia, Central Bosnia, Sarajevo Region, Eastern Herzegovina, Central Herzegovina, and Western Herzegovina). This is the first study that introduces the molecular genetic typing of five blood groups within the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the exception of RhD blood group. The sample consisted of 450 buccal swabs from unrelated individuals. Five blood group systems (RhD, RhC, RhE, Kidd, MN) were genotyped by the PCR-SSP method, while three blood group systems (Kell, Duffy, Lutheran) were genotyped by the PCR-RFLP method. Minor variation of genetic diversity was observed within the three major ethnic groups in B&H as well as within the ten subpopulations stratified according to geographical criteria. No genetic differentiation among ethnic groups was noticed. These results are in agreement with the results of previous studies based on different molecular genetics markers, which indicate that the three ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina belong to the same gene pool. A similar level of genetic variance was observed within regional subpopulations with no significant genetic differentiation among them. Comparison of intrapopulation genetic diversity of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian population with other European and non-European populations, based on the three loci (RHD, MN and KEL), clearly showed that the level of genetic diversity of the Bosnia and Herzegovina population is within the European range

New molecular methods to assess biodiversity. Potentials and pitfalls of DNA metabarcoding: a workshop report

This report presents the outcome of the joint work of PhD students and senior researchers working with DNA-based biodiversity assessment approaches with the goal to facilitate others the access to definitions and explanations about novel DNA-based methods. The work was performed during a PhD course (SLU PNS0169) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. The course was co-organized by the EU COST research network DNAqua-Net and the SLU Research Schools Focus on Soils and Water (FoSW) and Ecology - basics and applications. DNAqua-Net (COST Action CA15219, 2016-2020) is a network connecting researchers, water managers, politicians and other stakeholders with the aim to develop new genetic tools for bioassessment of aquatic ecosystems in Europe and beyond. The PhD course offered a comprehensive overview of the paradigm shift from traditional morphology-based species identification to novel identification approaches based on molecular markers. We covered the use of molecular tools in both basic research and applied use with a focus on aquatic ecosystem assessment, from species collection to the use of diversity in environmental legislation. The focus of the course was on DNA (meta)barcoding and aquatic organisms. The knowledge gained was shared with the general public by creating Wikipedia pages and through this collaborative Open Access publication, co-authored by all course participants