Kumbe Academy

Kumbe Biodiversity is a social enterprise.

Profit is invested in the academy, to increase knowledge and create job opportunities.

Trainings are offered free of charge for Tanzanian students. If you are interested to join a training, contact us!

  • eDNA sampling, extraction and PCR

    23-26 July 2025 (Full)

    Location: Arusha

    - eDNA collection from water and soil
    - DNA extraction
    - PCR & gel electrophoresis

    We will start with theory on each subject and then practice.

  • eDNA - PCR & Sequencing

    May 2025 (COMPLETED)

    Location: Arusha

    NO MORE SPACES AVAILABLE

    - practice eDNA collection from water, soil and air (0.5 day)
    - extract DNA from single species and collected eDNA (0.5 day)
    - PCR & sequencing (4 days)

  • eDNA - PCR & Sequencing

    17-21 March 2025 (COMPLETED)

    Location: Grumeti - RISE

    - practice eDNA collection from water, soil and air (0.5 day)
    - extract DNA from single species and collected eDNA (0.5 day)
    - PCR & sequencing (4 days)

  • eDNA sampling and extraction

    November 2024 (COMPLETED)

    Field practice for eDNA sampling and extraction for air, soil and water.

Basic training

  • What is biodiversity and why is it important to the world?

  • What is DNA and environmental DNA?

    What are the different types of DNA analysis and why would you use them?

eDNA sampling

  • How do you sample for:

    • water

    • soil

    • air

    What are the most important aspects to consider?

  • All students go into the field to practice for each type of eDNA sampling.

    Each student (or group) receives a use case. They have to decide which sample method is suited best for this case and explain why

eDNA extraction and amplication

  • For each sampling method (water, soil and air), the student learn how to extract DNA and store in the correct way. After some classical training, each students performs DNA extraction for the samples to took from the field. Extraction is performed in the field and not the classroom, to ensure each student can do this activity in a rural environment.

  • For meta barcoding, it is required to understand how to amplify the DNA material and how to validate that the amplification was performed correct, so the next steps can be taken. These activities will all be performed in the field, so the students know how to amplify DNA in rural areas.

eDNA advanced

  • In the lab, students get practical experience with DNA sequencing. This includes sessions on how to interpret the data, analyse the data and create reports

Camera trap

  • This training includes:

    • where to place camera traps and why?

    • what are the correct settings for the selected goal

    • configuration of a camera trap

  • This training goes into detail about:

    • how to use the mega detector to remove empty images

    • how to manually annotate images

    • how to use AI models to annotate images

    • how to ensure data privacy is part of your project

Sound sensors

  • This training includes:

    • where to place sound sensors?

    • what are the correct settings for the selected goal

    • configuration of the audiomoth

  • This training goes into detail how to use Kaleidoscope for sound annotation