Earlier this month (15th-19th July), I had the opportunity to attend the FSBI Annual Symposium 2019: Advances in eDNA-based approaches to fish ecology and management. As this was my first international conference experience, I have to admit the whole week was exceptional, both academically and socially, we even received a stress ball Nemo (Photo 1). Future conferences have a lot to live up to!
Photo 1. Pure excitement on the first day of the conference when I received my Nemo stress ball.
The symposium focused on environmental DNA (eDNA) defined as genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples such as water, soil and sediment (Taberlet et al. 2012). eDNA offers new opportunities to monitor biodiversity non-invasively and track invasive species from the organic material they leave behind. eDNA can also be collected from longer term deposits such as sediment and ice cores highlighting its utility as a molecular method for species monitoring (Thomsen and Willerslev. 2015).
The conference program was jam packed with 40 talks, 7 keynote speakers and social events every evening. I was amazed at the vast number of researchers intrigued by the capabilities of eDNA and how it can be developed to influence conservation and management policies. The week started with a great opening keynote by Christopher Jerde, known in the field of eDNA for his “Sight-Unseen” paper which used eDNA to detect invasive Asian carp species in the Great Lakes (Jerde et al. 2011). He highlighted that compared to traditional methods, like nets and electrofishing; eDNA approaches have more sources of underlying error that could give rise to false positives. This results in managers questioning eDNA approaches because there is no fish in hand. However, all sampling techniques have associated errors and by evaluating and developing eDNA experimental design we can build confidence in the eDNA approach. The second keynote, Kristy Deiner, got everyone in the audience thinking about their sampling strategy and exactly what DNA is being extracted from the sample: free DNA? Cellular DNA? Sediment bound DNA? I certainly wrote down a long list of questions to ask myself when I am designing my next eDNA strategy!
In the session ”Methodological Advances” it was my turn to get up on stage and present my research under the title: “The application of CRISPR-Cas for single species identification from environmental DNA” to the eager crowd (Photo 2). Having recently been published in Molecular Ecology Resources (Williams et al. 2019), some in the audience already had an insight into the research but I was extremely excited to share my innovative work to other experts in the field.
My research utilises CRISPR-Cas technology to eDNA detection. This technology is derived from the adaptive immunity of prokaryotes and commonly known for revolutionising genome-editing capabilities. The isothermal approach increases the possibility of developing a biosensor device for on-site eDNA monitoring and can potentially be used to differentiate sympatric taxa where the conventional qPCR approach might fail. Although gaining a lot of attention in the field of genome editing, CRISPR has not received the same attention in ecology but everyone at the conference seemed to welcome the idea with open arms (and an open mind!).
Photo 2. Me presenting at FSBI Annual Symposium 2019.
For anyone who has never presented at an international conference, all I can say is “do it!”. I was very apprehensive before getting on stage, I didn’t know how my work, which I am so passionate about and had been working on for over a year, would go down. The reception was phenomenal! It was honestly one of the most rewarding experiences to date. The talk sparked further discussion during the following social time with people intrigued by how the technique works and how they can use it for their own research. I was approached by both Christopher Jerde and Kristy Deiner who were fascinated by the merging of genome editing technology with ecology to enhance eDNA analysis. It was very surreal to be approached by individuals whose research inspired my own work!
I was humbled to be awarded 1st Prize Student Talk for my presentation and am honestly overwhelmed by the reception to the research (Photo 3). I cannot thank everyone enough for their excitement at what the future of CRISPR-Cas and eDNA might hold
Photo 3. First prize student talk award for my presentation on CRISPR-Cas for eDNA detection
The rest of the week consisted of a whole host of inspiring talks by researchers from all around the world. From species-specific studies in the Falkland Islands to whole community studies across Japan. The standard of the talks was very high all week, both from students and academics and highlighted some important take-home messages. One of which has particularly stuck in my mind; Shaun Killen, winner of the FSBI Medal 2019, reminded us all that whilst PhDs can be fun, exciting and fulfilling, they can also be difficult, stressful and isolating. It is important that when times are hard, we are not afraid to ask for help and supervisors are there to show compassion and support throughout. I found that this principle expands to the whole academic community and was amazed by the encouragement of early career researchers throughout the symposium.
Not only did I leave the symposium on Friday with a heavy head (fish biologists really know their ethanol, and not just for sample conservation!), but I also left having met some fantastic individuals, having made plans for future collaborations and most importantly feeling truly inspired for the future of not only my project but the entire field of environmental DNA.
So in the words of Christopher Jerde; “eDNA WORKS! GET GOING!”
I’d like to acknowledge the support of the Marine Institute for funding my research as part of the BEYOND2020 project but also for providing the Networking and Travel Grant allowing me to attend this symposium.
-Molly
Cited literature:
Taberlet, P., Coissac, E., Hajibabaei, M. & Riesberg, L. H. Environmental DNA. Mol. Ecol. 21, 1789–1793 (2012).
Thomsen, P. F. & Willerslev, E. Environmental DNA – An emerging tool in conservation for monitoring past and present biodiversity. Biol. Conserv. 183, 4–18 (2015).
Jerde, C. L., Mahon, A. R., Chadderton, W. L. & Lodge, D. M. “Sight-unseen” detection of rare aquatic species using environmental DNA. Conserv. Lett. 4, 150–157 (2011).
Williams, M. et al. The application of CRISPR‐Cas for single species identification from environmental DNA. Mol. Ecol. Resour. 1755–0998.13045 (2019). doi:10.1111/1755-0998.13045
