The researchers say that time is of the essence, because some of the salmon have been declared endangered. ("Fishery managers at the federal, state and local levels are considering using the information these scientists provide to help them decide when, where and how many fish may be harvested," Narum says.)
One way the scientists may be able to speed up their efforts is to switch to newer, faster technology to identify variations in the DNA or genetic material of the fish. Since July CRITFC scientists have been loading the materials needed to study salmon DNA into a prototype testing system made by South San Francisco–based Fluidigm Corporation designed to identify variations at 96 different locations (called single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP, markers) in DNA samples. The researchers can test up to 96 samples of genetic material at a time, providing 9,216 simultaneous reactions (or genotypes) within four hours. (This had previously been done on a system that could produce only 384 such genotype results at a time.)
Fluidigm's EP1 system—also being used by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the University of Washington in Seattle—creates these reactions within integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) that are 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) square and about 0.13 inch (0.32 centimeter) thick and made from a clear, rubbery polymer. The IFCs contain a microscopic matrix of tunnels, valves and chambers through which solutions containing salmon DNA samples can be routed. Air pressure is used to open and close the tunnels, compartmentalizing different combinations of solutions throughout the IFC. The result is an array of thousands of genotypes for the researchers to study.
Narum estimates it would cost his lab about $130,000 to buy Fluidigm's EP1 system. IFCs vary in cost, but the average range for most is between $200 and $500. (Each IFC can be used only once.) This cost is comparable with the price tag of the Carlsbad, Calif., Applied Biosystems assay system the researchers had been using. The cost for the chemicals used in either system is similar as well, but the scientists use smaller quantities in the EP1 system, resulting in less cost per sample to get the same genotype data faster, he adds.
The technology provides CRITFC researchers the opportunity for speedy SNP screening and research of organisms whose genome sequences (unlike those of humans and mice) have yet to be studied and catalogued.
A better understanding of genetics will not help replenish the salmon population overnight, of course. Still, CRITFC's work is a classic example of using science and technology to make sure those in charge of rescuing the salmon are making the right decisions.
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4 Comments
Add Commentgreat job
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt's because the dam, pollutions and the fish farms (sea lice problem just google it). To solve it first remove the fish farms, the dam and then stop all or most of the pollutions. Can we do it? Most probably not so good bye salmon. so long.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFish stocks could be exponentially increased by a 5 year ban on commercial fishing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe ban would roll around the globe. First the Pacific, then the Indian Ocean and finally the Atlantic.
The 5 years lost every 15 years would be compensated by a doubling of the catch for 10 years.
The problem is caused by the dams and overfishing... so the solution is to spend a ton of money researching fish DNA in order to help out one of three species by releasing farm-raised fish of that variety into the wild? What the heck are these people smoking?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe solution is simple, remove the cause of the problem. Duh!
Either figure out how to get the dams to not negatively impact the fish or decide which is more important: fish or power. Then impose limits on the number of fish that can be caught, or as avraamjack suggests, every 15 years, put a ban on commercial fishing. The added benefit of this would be that the price of the fish will go up, because it will be a rarer commodity. That'll help the industry plenty.
Not every problem can be solved by throwing money at it. Just use some common sense. All those little gray cells are there for a reason.