Molecular Genetics Laboratory - Projects conducted
- Genomics and the Mystery of the Fraser River Sockeye
- Probiotics
- Development and application of DNA techniques for validating and improving pinniped diet estimates
- Conservation, Population Structure, and Stock Identification
- Pedigree Analysis
- Forensic Analysis
- Aquaculture
- Major histocompatibility Complex
- Microarray Analysis/Quantitative RT-PCR
Conservation, Population Structure, and Stock Identification
Pacific Salmon
- Sockeye salmon
- 14 microsatellite, 2 MHC loci surveyed in 45,000 sockeye from 270 populations ranging from Japan, Russia, Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington
- Estimation of stock composition of 20,000 sockeye from mixed stock fisheries in southeast Alaska and British Columbia
- In season sockeye stock composition delivered within a 30 hour time frame for timely management of endangered sockeye stocks
- Coho salmon
- 13 microsatellite, 2 MHC loci surveyed in 45,000 coho from 260 populations ranging from Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California
- Estimation of stock composition of 30,000 coho from mixed stock fisheries in southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington
- Chinook salmon
- 13 microsatellite loci surveyed in 45,000 chinook from 270 populations ranging from Russia, Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California
- Estimation of stock composition of 20,000 chinook from mixed stock fisheries in British Columbia
- Chum salmon
- 13 microsatellite loci surveyed in 8,500 chum from 70 populations in British Columbia, southeast Alaska, the Yukon River, and Japan
- Estimation of stock composition of 300 chum from mixed stock fisheries in British Columbia
- Steelhead
- 19 microsatellite loci surveyed in 3,200 steelhead from
40 populations in British Columbia and Washington
- Estimation of stock composition of 2,100 steelhead from mixed-stock fisheries in British Columbia
- 19 microsatellite loci surveyed in 3,200 steelhead from
40 populations in British Columbia and Washington
- Atlantic salmon
- 9 microsatellite amd 3 MHC loci surveyed in 2000 salmon from 3 sites in the Conne River, Newfoundland, and from fish farms in British Columbia
- Kokanee
- 14 microsatellite and 2 MHC loci surveyed in 600 kokanee from 7 sites in British Columbia
Marine Fish
- Atlantic Cod
- 7 microsatellite, one RFLP, and one MHC loci surveyed in 5,300 cod from 19 locations adjacent to Newfoundland
- Estimation of stock composition of 400 juvenile cod from inshore locations in Newfoundland
- Resolution of population structure of cod adjacent to Newfoundland
- Pacific Herring
- 15 microsatellite loci surveyed in 23,000 herring from 95 locations in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and California
- Estimation of stock composition of 2,000 juvenile herring from Johnstone Strait in British Columbia
- Resolution of population structure of herring in British Columbia
- Pacific Ocean Perch
- 5 microsatellite loci surveyed in 1,300 perch from 14 sites in British Columbia
- Resolution of population structure of perch in British Columbia
- Yelloweye Rockfish
- 13 microsatellite loci surveyed in 3,200 rockfish from 30 sites in British Columbia
- Resolution of population structure of yelloweye in British Columbia
- Yellowtail Rockfish
- 20 microsatellite loci surveyed in 500 rockfish from 5 locations in British Columbia
- Quillback Rockfish
- 18 microsatellite loci surveyed in 1,000 quillback from 16 sites in British ColumbiaEulachon 14 microsatellite loci surveyed in 2000 eulachon from 9 sites in British Columbia and Washington
- Estimation of stock composition of 500 eulachon from mixed-stock fisheries in British Columbia
- Lingcod
- 10 microsatellite loci surveyed in 500 lingcod from 5 sites in British Columbia
Invertebrates
- Abalone
- 12 microsatellite loci surveyed in 3,000 abalone from 22 sites in British Columbia
- Geoduck Clams
- 6 microsatellite loci surveyed in 1,200 geoducks from 15 sites in British Columbia and Washington
- Red Sea Urchins
- 13 microsatellite loci surveyed in 600 urchins from 4 sites in British Columbia and two sites in Alaska
- Dungeness Crab
- 9 microsatellite loci surved in 400 Dungeness crabs from 6 sites in British Columbia
Pedigree Analysis
Broodstock evaluation and pedigree analysis conducted for chinook, coho, and Atlantic salmon broodstocks in British Columbia or Newfoundland aquaculture operations
Forensic Analysis
- Evidence provided on species and stock identification for Pacific salmon which was key in obtaining guilty pleas or convictions in legal proceedings in 25 cases.
- Development of an abalone species for the endangered Haliotis kamtschatkana
- Development of a marine fish species for the marine fish
Aquaculture
- Pedigree analysis of Atlantic and Chinook salmon to aid in broodstock development
- Genetic analysis of Japanese Scallops cultured in BC
Major histocompatibility Complex
- Identification of MHC genes in salmon and Atlantic cod and determination of MHC locus structure
- Determine correlations between MHC genotype and disease resistance in chinook, coho, and Atlantic salmon
- Population surveys of sockeye salmon, kokanee, coho, Atlantic salmon, steelhead and Atlantic cod
- Examination of evolutionary relationships in teleost fish
Microarray Analysis/Quantitative RT-PCR
Gauging the physiological response of salmon to environmental perturbations (e.g. pollution, temperature, disease) through Gene expression profiling using the 16,000 gene salmonid array developed through the Genome Canada funded “Genomics Research on Atlantic Salmon Project (GRASP)” .
Specific projects on
- Sockeye salmon migration physiology and the shifts in migration timing of Late-run Fraser River Sockeye salmon. Project goal: to identify biomarkers to predict entry timing of late run fish well in advance of the river.
- Establishing the physiological basis for fluctuations in in-river en route mortality. Project goal: to identify biomarkers to predict spawning success by stock.
- Salmonid species-specific response to the Infectious haematopoetic necrosis virus (IHNV). Project goal: to establish the role of host response in determining susceptibility to the virus, and to identify genes and pathways potentially co-opted by the virus to enhance infectivity.Simultaneous examination of the expression 16 thousand salmon genes (representing roughly 1/4 to 1/3 of the salmon genome)
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