Deciphering the DNA sequences of Pacific salmon genomes
Scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada are working collaboratively to research and assemble salmon genomes. Learn how this information is collected and how it can help us manage and understand fish populations.
Transcript
Ben Koop - Geneticist and Molecular biologist, University of Victoria: Salmon are iconic species in the Pacific Northwest, they have a special place in the hearts and minds of Canadians as well.
We started working with salmonids now about eighteen years ago and in the last four or five years we've been looking at Pacific salmonids and how it relates to atlantic salmon and how they're unique on their own.
Alexandre Montpetit - Assistant Scientific Director, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre: The Department of Fisheries and Oceans contacted us to do a research project where they wanted to sequence and assemble salmon genome.
Bob Delvin - Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: And we're generating this information to enhance the tools available to people that use genetic analysis in management of the fish populations. One of the first steps to undertaking this research is to generate DNA samples from very specific fish types.
Ben Koop: So once we've collected these samples essentially we isolate DNA. That DNA is then sent off to Genome Quebec and there, the actual sequencing is done. The sequencing resolves in millions and millions of very short DNA products.
Alexandre Montpetit: It's like making a one million piece puzzle, so it's very complex. So what we do: we use these sequencers we have at the center that spits out hundreds of millions fragments. So those are small pieces that need to be assembled back into one piece.
Ben Koop: So, once those individual components are sequenced, then they come to our lab, and we have a long history of assembling these sequences, putting them into context. In the end, we come up with a set of genes, we come up with a reference genome and we come up with an atlas of genetic variation among the individuals we sampled.
Bob Delvin: Trying to predict the future of populations is very difficult but having the genome provides you with a full suite of markers to understand the physiology, behaviour and genetics of these animals. Having that information has really facilitated understanding the micro variations that exist within populations and how that relates to their adaptation to fisheries and to environmental changes.
Ben Koop: The project that Bob and I are doing is unparalleled in the Pacific Ocean. We've attempted to do a project that provides a benchmark for salmonid research worldwide. This allows for fundamental information that can then be used in all kinds of fields: conservation, physiology, molecular biology and genetics. It's across the board a quantum leap in fundamental understanding of salmonid biology and genetics.
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