BERLIN, Germany — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to share that Elen Markosyan (BSESS ’28), a sophomore student in the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences program, recently traveled to the Berlin Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum (BGBM) at Freie Universität Berlin. The visit was organized within the framework of the eDNA Metabarcoding to Advance Fungal Research project, supported by the Afeyan Family Foundation and led by Dr. Arsen Gasparyan, assistant professor at the AUA Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering and a biodiversity expert at the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment.
The visit began in Dilijan National Park, where Markosyan joined colleagues from BGBM and the Institute of Botany after A. Takhtajyan at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia in collecting lichens, fungi, soil, and bark samples for environmental DNA (eDNA) barcoding. This fieldwork was led by Dr. Arsen Gasparyan. The eDNA analysis of these fungal samples will advance fungal biodiversity assessment methods, combining traditional taxonomy and modern molecular approaches.
After completing the fieldwork in Armenia, Markosyan traveled to BGBM to learn molecular analysis techniques under Dr. Bibiana Moncada, curator of lichens and bryophytes at the Museum’s Herbarium Berolinense. The hands-on laboratory training covered techniques for DNA extraction, such as sample preparation, vortexing, and centrifugation. Under the instruction of Dr. Robert Luecking, head of Evolution and Biodiversity at BGBM, Markosyan learned to perform sequence alignment, build phylogenetic trees, and apply maximum likelihood methods using MEGA (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis) software.
Reflecting on her experience, Markosyan shared: “This journey shaped my scientific skills and gave me insight into the fascinating world of fungal and biodiversity research.”
Dr. Gasparyan added: “This project allows us to not only create new opportunities for fungal biodiversity research and monitoring in Armenia, but also develop the knowledge and skills of our students.”
The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, a research center of the American University of Armenia (AUA), promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. The AUA Acopian Center’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity protection and conservation, greening the built environment, sustainable energy, as well as information technology and the environment. Visit http://ace.aua.am.
