PhD student Laura Kuusemets study visit to University of Helsinki

PhD student Laura Kuusemets (University of Tartu) visited the University of Helsinki to develop essential skills for wetland forest studies, including DNA extraction and PCR from tropical peat swamp forest samples. Under expert supervision, she gained hands-on experience in sample preparation for isotope analysis and DNA concentration measurements.

Figure: Laura working at UH (Credit: Laura Kuusemets)

Place: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at University of

Helsinki, Finland
Date: 21 May 2024 – 4 June 2024
PhD student: Laura Kuusemets (Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Mikk Espenberg, Prof. Ülo Mander)

PhD student Laura Kuusemets (University of Tartu) recently visited the University of Helsinki. The research exchange focused on developing essential skills and techniques for wetland forest studies, including DNA extraction and PCR from tropical peat swamp forest samples. Under expert supervision, she gained hands-on experience in sample preparation for isotope analysis, DNA extraction from leaf fractions, and the use of NanoDrop and Qubit instruments for DNA concentration measurements. In addition to mastering regular PCR and gel electrophoresis for PCR products, the exchange broadened knowledge through lectures on Finnish forestry and peatlands, field visits to Torronsuo and Lettosuo, and insights into agricultural research at

SMEAR-Agri. These activities strengthened technical expertise and fostered knowledge transfer in wetland forest research. Also, Laura’s supervisor Mikk joined her for a few days for further collaboration and exchange of knowledge.