Shared best practices
Guidance for sampling design, contamination control, marker choice, reference matching, and transparent reporting.
Connecting knowledge, best practices, and data
The Swedish Metabarcoding Network (SMN) aims to improve the technology readiness of metabarcoding as a tool for effective biodiversity monitoring. We are a network of partners across Sweden who collaborate to develop and share best practices, protocols, and data for metabarcoding in Sweden. This covers all parts of the metabarcoding process, from fieldwork via labwork to data analysis and publication.
Part of our mission is to enable other researchers and non-academic partners to utilize metabarcoding and interpret the resulting biodiversity data. There is a particular emphasis on making existing and newly produced datasets available as FAIR biodiversity data, increasing their utility and impact.
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Subscribed research groups
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FAIR metabarcoding datasets
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Published workflow protocols
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Software tutorials
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Training events
Publishing your data via the ASV portal
Advantages of uploading your data to the ASV Portal (ASV = Amplicon Sequence Variant)
- VisibilityIncrease the visibility and citation of your work. Each dataset receives a permanent GBIF DOI that makes your data citable and traceable in scientific publications.
- FAIR DataMake your ASVs Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. The portal ensures consistent metadata, open formats, and long-term accessibility.
- Up to dateYour ASVs are regularly re-annotated using the latest reference databases. This keeps your taxonomic assignments up to date without additional work on your side.
- Insight and comparisonCompare your results with other metabarcoding datasets. The portal enables cross-study analyses and helps you identify broader biodiversity patterns.
- Contribute to global knowledgeBy uploading your ASVs, you support national and international biodiversity research and help build a comprehensive picture of species distributions.
- Link to environmental data View your and other's data in the interactive spatial portal, allowing to link it to a big selection of environmental and contextual layers.
Video Guide: How to upload ASV data
About the network
We support harmonized metabarcoding practices across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments so biodiversity observations become comparable, reproducible, and reusable.
Interoperable data
FAIR workflows that turn local observations into interoperable biodiversity records through SBDI and ASV portal pipelines.
Training & community
Workshops, office hours, and peer support across lab, bioinformatics, and data management.
What we focus on
Four pillars that move projects from raw reads to trusted biodiversity knowledge.
Wet-lab workflows
Field-to-lab workflows for samples, controls, primer choice, indexing, and robust QC.
Bioinformatics
Denoising, ASVs/OTUs, chimera handling, taxonomy, and reproducible pipelines.
FAIR data & publishing
Metadata, standards, archiving, and publication pathways into national infrastructure.
Coordination
Cross-site coordination, shared protocol libraries, and national biodiversity roadmapping.
Want to contribute?
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Membership form
Join the Network
Share metabarcoding data, protocols, propose working groups, or help coordinate training.
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Survey
Help us getting an overview
If you produce metabarcoding data and are interested in making them FAIR, fill out this short survey.
Resources
Quick access to key tools and guidance for metabarcoding projects in Sweden.
Overview of existing datasets
Browse and download currently available ASV datasets through the ASV Portal download overview.
Open resource →SBDI
National infrastructure for open and FAIR biodiversity data, tools, and taxonomies.
Open resource →SciLifeLab
Sweden's national research infrastructure for life science technologies and expertise.
Open resource →GBIF Sweden
Swedish node of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility for open biodiversity data access and publishing.
Open resource →protocols.io
Bring structure to your research with a secure platform for developing and sharing reproducible methods.
Open resource →Protocols
Curated protocols for insect metabarcoding workflows, grouped by theme.
Bulk samples to sequencing
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FAVIS v2: Fast and Versatile protocol for bulk insect metabarcoding
Non-destructive, high-throughput workflow from lab setup and sample handling to DNA extraction, library prep and sequencing.
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Sample homogenization and DNA extraction for bulk insect catches
Whole-catch homogenization and magnetic bead purification protocol to recover additional DNA from bulk trap samples.
Standardization and controls
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Synthetic COI spike-ins for metabarcoding-based insect surveys
Design, production and storage of synthetic COI spike-ins as internal controls to improve comparability across samples and experiments.
Tutorials
Hands-on tutorials and user guides for metabarcoding data analysis, formatting, and publishing.
Events & training
Training sessions focused on biodiversity monitoring, methods, and data publishing.
11 FEB
2026
Exploring eDNA in SBDI
Training event held during SBDI Days 2026 in Stockholm. A related Hands-on tutorial is available in Resources.