EPICBITE
Nov 6, 2021
Age information forms the basis for calculations of growth rate, mortality rate and productivity, ranking it among the most influential of biological variables for fisheries stock assessment and management.
Epigenetic clocks of bio-economically important teleosts and elasmobranchs
This project aims to create epigenetic clocks for threatened species towards biodiversity conservation and an equitable and sustainable blue economy. The objectives are to:
- Identify candidate species where age can be determined with accuracy from ageing techniques,
- Create a biobank of tissue samples from candidate species,
- Identify epigenetic markers within and between species using an epigenome sequencing approach,
- Develop a epigenome array/chip for large scale genotyping, and
- Commercialize the epigenome chip (EPICBITE® Array) for application in fisheries management.
The EPICBITE® Array will further be a valuable genetic resource for marine environmental epigenetics where the objective is to identify nursery areas and create ‘Age Structure Maps’ for the candidate species in selected target areas with implication for marine spatial planning.
Project PI: Prof Simo Maduna