ph.d. research
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trangenes from genetically modified animals detected via non-invasive and environmental DNAClaire Ramsay, McGill University
Mitra Cowan, McGill University Paul Lasko, McGill Universisty Rowan D.H. Barrett, McGill University With rapidly growing accessibility of genome-editing technologies such as CRISPR, the prevalence and diversity of genetically modified (GM) animals will increase dramatically. Plans to release GM animals into the wild have already been implemented. Transgenes from GM animals could be deposited into the environment via fecall discharge, skin cell shedding, cellular decomposition, and other natural processes. We demonstrate that simple non-invasive and environmental DNA methods can detect such transgenes from terrestrial and aquatic sources in invertebrate and vertebrate systems.
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discovering the piercing microbiomeJuliette Lemoine, McGill University
Avery Albert, University of Toronto Élise Mac Whirter, Tattoo Lounge Montreal Rowan D.H. Barrett, McGill University Human piercings can serve as a model system for studying processes of community assembly after local environmental disturbance and the introduction of a novel ecological niche. In collaboration with Tattoo Lounge in Montreal, we are recruiting participants to get ear lobe piercings and taking temporal swab samples for 16S metabarcoding to uncover how the skin microbiome changes due to human piercings.
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evolutionary rescue of metacommunities exposed to acidificationVincent Fugère, McGill University
Naíla Barbosa da Costa, University of Montreal Marie-Pier Hébert, McGill University Katie Millette, McGill University Beatrix Beisner, University of Quebec at Montreal Gregor Fussmann, McGill University Melania Cristescu, McGill University Graham Bell, McGill University Jesse Shapiro, University of Montreal Rowan D.H. Barrett, McGill University The Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP) at McGill's Gault Nature Reserve is designed for highly replicated experiments to study how complex aquatic communities respond to environmental stressors. We assessed whether rapid evolution could recover the biodiversity and functioning of metacommunities exposed to severe acidification. We manipulated pH levels and dispersal (intensity and spatial structure) in replicate metacommunities of 4 ponds, and monitored the community composition, biodiversity, and functioning of all major groups of plankton in these ponds. We are also conducting molecular biodiversity surveys using metabarcoding and investigating acid adaptation in ponds that recovered from severe stress using whole genome shotgun sequencing metagenomics.
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identifying endangered and protected animals used in 泡酒 (steeped alcohol)Jing Chen & Wenzhi Wang, Wildlife Forensics Center of the Yunnan Endangered Species
Yunyu Wang, South China DNA Barcoding Institute Linshu Li, Wildlife Conservation Society Tracie Seimon, Wildlife Conservation Society Rowan D.H. Barrett, McGill University In collaboration with the Wildlife Forensics Center of the Yunnan Endangered Species Commission and the Wildlife Conservation Society, I am developing a metabarcoding approach to extract and sequence DNA of animals directly from steeped alcohol, a common form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in order to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
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untangling trophic cascades via spider web DNARafael E. Valentin, Princeton University
Rob Pringle, Princeton University Rowan D.H. Barrett, McGill University We are studying potential trophic cascades due to manipulated invasion by competitor anole lizards and/or predator curly-tailed lizards on small experimental islands in the Bahamas by using spider web DNA to reveal differences in insect communities.
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masters research
robust taxonomic assignment of metabarcoding dataDouglas W. Yu, University of East Anglia/Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Douglas Chesters, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Panu Somervuo, University of Helsinki A growing method for studying biodiversity is to sequence DNA of animals from the blood meals of leeches or mosquitoes. Accuracy of the association between DNA and the animals they come from is critical, especially when conservation action is dependent on this information. To this end, we are developing bioinformatic pipelines that are robust to missing reference sequences and uncertainty.
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genetic basis of starvation tolerance in European sea bassCatherine Breton, University of Montpellier
Erick Desmarais, University of Montpellier Bruno Guinand, University of Montpellier Starvation tolerance in fish varies greatly, potentially due to an ecophysiological trade off with growth rate. We associated genetic polymorphisms between starvation tolerant and sensitive individuals with physiological phenotypes to find the molecular mechanisms for starvation tolerance. The European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is one of the most economically important fish in Europe and such genes may be used in selective breeding.
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undergrad research
genetic differentiation among periwinkle snails across East AsiaWei Wang, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ka H. Chu, Chinese University of Hong Kong Echinolittorina radiata is a species of intertidal periwinkle snail found across a wide range of latitutdes. They live close to their thermal limits and are susceptible to slight changes in temperature so they are an ideal system to study the effects of climate change. We used mitochondrial DNA to assess the neutral genetic differentiation of populations in Hong Kong, Japan, Ningbo, Qingdao, Taiwan and Xiamen.
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spider webs: a new spin on noninvasive genetics of spiders and preyIvy J. Yen, University of Notre Dame
Dean Bowman, Potawatomi Zoo Cameron R. Turner, University of Notre Dame Noninvasive genetic sampling enables biomonitoring without the need to directly observe or disturb target organisms. We used DNA extracted from black widow (Latrodectus sp.) spider webs to identify spider and prey species. Spider web DNA has many potential applications in conservation research, pest management, biogeography studies and biodiversity assessments.
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genomics of sympatric
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genetic basis of sperm performance in deer miceEmily Jacobs-Palmer, Harvard University
Heidi S. Fisher, Harvard University Hopi E. Hoekstra, Harvard University Sexual selection of promiscuous deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) has led to the evolution of various traits including sperm performance. Sperm midpiece length has been shown to be related to velocity and Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) studies indicate a genetic basis. We fine-scale mapped these loci and automated velocity measurements to help determine the causal genes underlying this important sexually selected trait.
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Great Lakes coastal wetland genetic monitoring using aquatic environmental DNACameron R. Turner, University of Notre Dame
David M. Lodge, University of Notre Dame Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling uses genetic material found from environmental mixtures like water or soil. Fish leave behind a trail of DNA-containing mucus and other secretions that can be filtered from their environment and used to identify species. We compared eDNA and traditional fyke net sampling of fish at 18 different wetland locations across the Great Lakes to assess this new methodology.
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