Biodiversity assessment
Analysis of bulk environmental samples such as air, water, soil, sediments and various types of sampled biomass (i.e., plankton trawls, insect traps, benthic kicknets) to determine the composition of organisms from microbial groups to more complex organisms such as algae, plants, arthropods, nematodes and various higher vertebrates.
This approach is based on “DNA metabarcoding” which employs information in marker genes such as ribosomal and mitochondrial genes that are amplified using CEGA’s optimized primers (synthetic DNA complimentary to conserved regions of target genes) and sequenced on high-throughput sequencers like the Illumina MiSeq and our in-house state-of-the-art NovaSeq 6000. The procedure involves sampling small volumes of biological material (e.g., water or soil). CEGA has established Standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been tested in various field conditions and remote locations. For example, depending on the setting we can process filter water in field stations or on the vessels and transfer small filter cartridges for further analysis. CEGA will provide a complete solution from sampling design and training field technicians to DNA analysis and report generation. This approach has been tested in various pilot studies.
This approach is based on “DNA metabarcoding” which employs information in marker genes such as ribosomal and mitochondrial genes that are amplified using CEGA’s optimized primers (synthetic DNA complimentary to conserved regions of target genes) and sequenced on high-throughput sequencers like the Illumina MiSeq and our in-house state-of-the-art NovaSeq 6000. The procedure involves sampling small volumes of biological material (e.g., water or soil). CEGA has established Standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been tested in various field conditions and remote locations. For example, depending on the setting we can process filter water in field stations or on the vessels and transfer small filter cartridges for further analysis. CEGA will provide a complete solution from sampling design and training field technicians to DNA analysis and report generation. This approach has been tested in various pilot studies.
Detection of bioindicator species
Depending on the environmental setting, groups of organisms are considered ecological bioindicators and their species composition provides a metric for ecosystem health. Most notably in the aquatic environment, fish, diatoms (algae) and benthic macroinvertebrates are bioindicators. We can use DNA-based analysis to determine the composition of these groups and other similar taxonomic assemblages. Sampling regime, marker selection, sequencing and bioinformatics analysis are optimized to increase the probability of detecting bioindicator species. Sampling can be conducted from rivers, lakes, or sea and mainly involve accessing biomass through water samples or samplers such as kicknets or sediment grabs, etc.
Detection of rare targets such as invasive or endangered species
This application is geared towards known individual species of concern. Categorically these species are either considered harmful such as alien invasive species or are included in the list of highly valuable species such as IUCN Red List like some marine mammals. We can also monitor locally important species such as those used for seafood (e.g., salmon or cod fish in Atlantic Canada). We have developed and optimized high efficiency primers that can bind very effectively to target species. Sequencing is performed to confirm the detection of correct target species. More advanced statistical analysis such as occupancy modelling can provide additional support for ruling out cases of false positives and false negatives.