Science Happy Hour at LESGC: “Naked DNA in Seawater”
Speaker: Dr. Jesse Ausubel
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
402 E. 8th St. (at Ave D)
6:30pm Welcome Reception
7:00pm Talk by Dr. Ausubel
7:30pm Tours of the BioBus and BioBase
Click here to RSVP for this event!
Jesse Ausubel will introduce us to the eDNA in our seawater! Loose or extracellular DNA (eDNA) abounds in natural water, salt and fresh. It may be shed like dandruff and result from the break-up of cells. The presence of many aquatic animals can be reliably detected by analyzing water samples for the presence of species-specific DNA fragments. Emerging eDNA technology could add to or take the place of traditional monitoring methods, many of which can be time- consuming, expensive, and destructive. As reference libraries of DNA grow, eDNA could become a top way to understand the status of marine life. You have already gulped some of it while swimming.