Early detection is key in preventing parasites invading shellfish.
Andrew Davinack, assistant professor of biology at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, takes a practical approach to doing so.
I am an aquatic biologist with a strong focus on invasive invertebrates and the parasites which infect them. In particular, I am interested in understanding how human activities such as dam construction, aquaculture, shipping, etc. can influence the dispersal and subsequent evolution of aquatic invasive species. My lab uses a combination of tools to address this issue including DNA barcoding, population genetics, physiological experiments and biophysical modelling. In terms educational innovation, I have developed several pedagogical tools to create a more student-centric environment in the classroom which not only engages and challenges students but is also inclusive and utilizes real-world applications.
Practical Approach to Protecting Shellfish
Shellfish are among the most popular seafood items in the United States. But they can also be infected by parasites, which present serious challenges to shellfish farmers in New England and beyond. But what if those who raise and harvest oysters and clams were able to detect and remove those harmful organisms before they become a problem?
My research involves the application of DNA barcoding—a similar approach to that used in forensics–to take the DNA of any organism and then compare it to a database to figure out its identity, to give it an assignment. It’s a technique that’s able to fast track identifications, and it can be a practical way to monitor and protect shellfish before any damage is done.
We are beginning to take one step further and test something called environmental DNA or eDNA where you don’t need to get a sample from the animal itself. We pull DNA directly from the water—take a water sample, and extract DNA from it–because every organism leaves behind something. In the case of shellfish, surface swabs of the shell could be sufficient to detect the presence of shell-boring worms, the main focus of my parasite research.
We sequence it and compare it to a massive database that has other DNA sequences available and then we can make assignments. Within a week, we can compile a list of the different species present in that environment.
We are working with Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and with taxonomic experts who provide up-to-date species records to help document the animals and plants found on the New England coastline.
The idea is once you figure out something that shouldn’t be here, it’s much easier to get rid of it. The rapid response saves a lot of money and time—and early detection is a crucial part of preventing an invasion event.
Read More:
https://departments.wheatoncollege.edu/departments/biology/
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