New funding will help Saint Mary’s researchers update database of right whale DNA
Researchers at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax have secured funding to update the DNA database for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Since the late 1980s, DNA samples have been utilized to track populations of these whales, providing valuable information beyond what can be observed visually. The database contains genetic profiles of around 700 right whales, past and present, enabling scientists to identify individual whales and study their family trees.
With a new contract from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, researchers at Saint Mary’s University aim to reanalyze the DNA samples using advanced methods. Timothy Frasier, the principal investigator of the right whale genetic work, explained that the current database analyzes each whale’s genome at 36 regions, but the funding will allow them to analyze 300 regions, significantly enhancing the resolution and efficiency of the data analysis.
The contract, starting in March and extendable until 2028, involves an annual payment of up to $33,960. Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist, highlighted the importance of the database in understanding reproductive patterns and genetic diversity within the right whale population. By modernizing the database, researchers hope to obtain more accurate and faster results, which can provide insights into the overall health of the population.
Collaborating with a photo catalogue of almost all living right whales, the DNA database complements visual identification methods based on unique patterns of callosities on the whales’ heads. Philip Hamilton, a senior scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, emphasized the significance of the updated database in solving mystery cases of dead whales and furthering research in the field.
The North Atlantic right whale population is estimated to be fewer than 400 individuals, making conservation efforts crucial for the survival of the species. The advancements in DNA analysis facilitated by the new funding will play a vital role in ongoing conservation efforts and scientific research aimed at protecting these majestic creatures.
