Dr Michelle Hart

As Head of Scientific and Technical Services (STS), Michelle is responsible for the provision and maintenance of the research laboratories and associated services at RBGE. The lab facilities are a core shared-use facility, supporting a diverse range of research activities. Accommodating changes in research emphasis and implementing new technologies to support RBGE's Science is a core part of Michelle's role. 

In addition to lab management, Michelle conducts research to support RBGE’s core science and is co-lead of the Biodiversity Genomics and Analytics section. Her research interests focus on plant and fungal DNA barcoding, metabarcoding and biodiversity genomics.

Research Focus

Current research interests include the application of Next Generation Sequencing to biodiversity research and maximising the use of plant collections, past, present and future, in genomic research:

• The Darwin Tree of Life (DToL).  RBGE is a Genome Acquisition Lab (GAL) and focuses on the coordination/delivery of the plant component of DToL. As the Principal Investigator for DToL at RBGE, Michelle is responsible for ensuring the smooth delivery of the Garden's part in this ambitious project.  Our work involves curating taxon lists for vascular plants and bryophytes, developing sampling priorities, developing collection SOPs, collecting and identifying plant samples, undertaking plant DNA barcoding, R&D on HMW DNA extraction protocols for plants, and linking the resulting genomic outputs to projects focusing on taxonomy, ecology, evolution and conservation.

• Capturing Genes from Herbaria. The current focus of this work is optimising protocols for the sampling and processing of herbarium specimens, to enable the routine generation of robust sequence data from our preserved collections. This includes the evaluation of the use of commercial kits in preparing DNA libraries from small quantities of highly degraded DNA.