Nanopore Adaptive Sequencing Workshop 2025

Associate Professor Dr. Peter A. Larsen and his team from the University of Minnesota (UMN), USA, returned to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in December 2025 to conduct a workshop on Nanopore Adaptive Sequencing.

The workshop focused on the use of mosquitoes for whole-genome pathogen screening and vertebrate-host detection, highlighting the potential of adaptive sequencing as a powerful tool for biodiversity monitoring and disease surveillance. Field sampling activities were conducted at the UNIMAS Real Living Lab, Bako National Park and Matang Wildlife Centre, providing participants with hands-on experience in mosquito sampling methodologies.

Instructors (University of Minnesota):

Associate Professor Dr. Peter A. Larsen

Associate Professor Dr. Jonathan D. Oliver

Dr. Kendra L. Phelps

Dr. Evan J. Kipp

Lexi E. Frank

A hands-on laboratory workshop was subsequently conducted at the Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS, where participants were guided through the complete workflow from DNA extraction and library preparation to sequencing and preliminary data analysis. Sequencing data were successfully generated within five days, demonstrating the rapid turnaround and efficiency of Nanopore Sequencing. The workshop further strengthened the long-standing collaboration between UMN and UNIMAS, promoting knowledge exchange, research capacity building and the adoption of advanced genomic approaches for pathogen surveillance and ecological research in the region.