How was my experience?

The Research Group

The 6 weeks of my professional practice further improved my ability to conduct research. Throughout the professional practice, I shared many moments of laughter with the members of the research group, stressed out over contamination issues with the eDNA samples, juggled multiple end of semester assignments and stayed at the laboratory after working hours to repeat PCR reactions. I was able to form a good working relationship with my supervisor Dr. Yaisel and a new friendship with Alicia who is the PhD student I was working alongside. The research group had a very welcoming atmosphere and I really felt like a part of the team. I would welcome any chance in the future to work with them again.

About me

I am a first year IMBRSea student with a keen interest in discovering ways of conserving marine resources and species. I previously completed my undergraduate degree in zoology as well as a masters in forensic science. I intend to use my crime-solving skills for detection of endangered species in fisheries and aquaculture with the broader objective of marine conservation. Through the professional practice I have developed a new research understanding in eDNA and look forward to utilizing it in the future. For any tips in writing eDNA reports and performing eDNA related laboratory work, feel free to contact me anytime :D

Rhea Thoppil

The curious intern

My support during the professional practice

Dr. Yaisel Borrell

The helpful supervisor

borrellyaisel@uniovi.es

Alicia Garcia

The calm PhD Student

aliciaggallego@gmail.com

A little nugget of wisdom

The fisheries industry is an exhaustible form of marine resource that requires good management practices aimed at sustainable conservation of exploited marine species like octopus and eels. Using non-invasive methods like eDNA for species identification and diversity assessment is crucial for the conservation of the species of concern, as well as for feeding the species that depends on fisheries i.e. humans. Let's not allow our greed to overcome our mission for sustainability and help save our world's marine resources.

References & Supplementary Reading

  1. (8) e-DNA - YouTube [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX4oHNsFvVc (accessed 6.30.21).

  2. All about DNA - Curious [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/all-about-dna (accessed 6.30.21).

  3. ECOS(i)FOOD project: ECOS(i)FOOD (ecosifood.com)

  4. Environmental DNA - Smith-Root [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.smith-root.com/edna (accessed 6.28.21).

  5. Environmental DNA - YouTube [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YXfZvEvUgc (accessed 6.30.21).

  6. Environmental DNA (eDNA) – A World Hidden In A Drop [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.mediray.co.nz/blog/environmental-dna-edna-a-world-hidden-in-a-drop/ (accessed 6.16.21).

  7. Environmental DNA in a Regulatory and Operational Landscape | Environmental Science Associates [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://esassoc.com/news-item/environmental-dna-in-a-regulatory-and-operational-landscape/ (accessed 6.16.21).

  8. Exploration Tools: Environmental DNA: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/technology/edna/edna.html (accessed 6.16.21).

  9. Goldberg, C.S., Strickler, K.M., Pilliod, D.S., 2015. Moving environmental DNA methods from concept to practice for monitoring aquatic macroorganisms. Biol. Conserv. 183, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.11.040.

  10. González-Álvarez, J., García-de-la-Fuente, L., García-Flórez, L., Fernández-Rueda, M. del P., Luis Alcázar-Álvarez, J., 2016. Identification and Characterization of Métiers in Multi-Species Artisanal Fisheries. A Case Study in Northwest Spain. Nat. Resour. 07, 295–314. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2016.76026

  11. Lacoursière-Roussel, A., Côté, G., Leclerc, V., Bernatchez, L., 2016. Quantifying relative fish abundance with eDNA: a promising tool for fisheries management. J. Appl. Ecol. 53, 1148–1157. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12598

  12. Octopus GIF - Octopus - Discover & Share GIFs [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://tenor.com/view/octopus-gif-11290386 (accessed 6.30.21).

  13. Rodríguez‐Ezpeleta, N., Zinger, L., Kinziger, A., Bik, H.M., Bonin, A., Coissac, E., Emerson, B.C., Lopes, C.M., Pelletier, T.A., Taberlet, P., Narum, S., 2021. Biodiversity monitoring using environmental DNA. Mol. Ecol. Resour. 3, 175–179. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13399

  14. Vacancy: Master’s thesis in environmental DNA as a tool for monitoring marine biodiversity – University of Copenhagen [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://macroecology.ku.dk/news/vacancy-masters-thesis-in-environmental-dna-as-a-tool-for-monitoring-marine-biodiversity/ (accessed 6.16.21).

  15. Watts, A., Miksis-Olds, J., 2018. The Ocean as a Living Sensor: Environmental DNA and Acoustics for Detecting Marine Life. Environ. Sci.