1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
[HCG24-01] Genomics approach towards reveal key genetic factors for establishing and sustaining ecosystems
Keywords:Ecosystem, Genomics, Evolution
[Background] Owing to advanced sequencing technology, genomics can unveil the genetic foundations of not only individuals but also entire organisms within an ecosystem. This study aims to identify organisms or genes crucial for establishing and sustaining ecosystems.
[Methods] Water from a fishbowl, housing medaka fish (Oryzias latipes), shrimps (Neocaridina denticulata), waterweeds (Cabomba caroliniana), and microorganisms for several years, was sampled into four flasks. These flasks were then incubated aerobically at 25ºC with a photoperiod (16 h light/8 h dark cycle) for 12 months. Throughout the incubation, DNA was extracted from organisms in the water every month, and sequencing was performed to identify organisms and genes in the water.
[Results] After incubation, the resulting water colors in the four flasks varied from dull to clear. Interestingly, the extracted DNA amounts decreased with the watercolor changing from dull to clear, suggesting that organisms in the flasks either survived or went extinct. DNA sequencing analysis revealed types of organisms and genes involved in the evolution in the flasks.
[Discussion] The results indicate that organisms in the four flasks evolved in different directions towards extinction or survival, suggesting that organisms in the dull water sustained an ecosystem. To identify key genetic factors for establishing and sustaining ecosystems, we are developing a high-throughput screening assay system using droplet technologies. The information from this study could be useful for de novo establishment of sustainable ecosystems in space colonies.
[Methods] Water from a fishbowl, housing medaka fish (Oryzias latipes), shrimps (Neocaridina denticulata), waterweeds (Cabomba caroliniana), and microorganisms for several years, was sampled into four flasks. These flasks were then incubated aerobically at 25ºC with a photoperiod (16 h light/8 h dark cycle) for 12 months. Throughout the incubation, DNA was extracted from organisms in the water every month, and sequencing was performed to identify organisms and genes in the water.
[Results] After incubation, the resulting water colors in the four flasks varied from dull to clear. Interestingly, the extracted DNA amounts decreased with the watercolor changing from dull to clear, suggesting that organisms in the flasks either survived or went extinct. DNA sequencing analysis revealed types of organisms and genes involved in the evolution in the flasks.
[Discussion] The results indicate that organisms in the four flasks evolved in different directions towards extinction or survival, suggesting that organisms in the dull water sustained an ecosystem. To identify key genetic factors for establishing and sustaining ecosystems, we are developing a high-throughput screening assay system using droplet technologies. The information from this study could be useful for de novo establishment of sustainable ecosystems in space colonies.