Fall 2024 Issue
Photo credit: FISHBIO
Stockton University Marine Science and Biology courses have teamed up to provide an innovative collaboration between fieldwork and molecular biology, which gives students a rare and comprehensive scientific experience. This partnership not only advances research but also enhances students' educational journeys in uncommon ways.
A passing comment in the hallway in 2019 between two colleagues innocently started a continued collaboration when Marine Science Professor Mark Sullivan and Biology Professor Tara Luke recognized the potential for their fields to intersect.
Sullivan had been leading a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)-funded project aimed at inventorying species in the Mullica River-Great Bay Estuary, particularly along the freshwater and saltwater interface. Along with the Stockton University Marine Field Station team, he gathered a team of research students and his introductory Ichthyology and Marine Biology lab classes to assist in the collection and identification process. The project was critical for understanding the estuarine ecosystem - producing an extensive collection of specimens, some of which were difficult to identify due to their early life status or minor structural differences.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Bick.
He explained, “There are problematic species where it can be difficult to tell one apart from the other. You may have to count fin rays to differentiate them, and in some cases, the fin ray difference is one between the two. If their fins are damaged, it may be difficult to conclusively tell them apart. Other subtle differences between species may involve eye diameter, number of body segments, and even internal characteristics such as body cavity lining color. Problematic identification was one of the things I was interested in handing off through the collaboration.”
Luke’s 4000-level Molecular Biology lab class, Molecular Evolution, requires students to apply DNA sequencing techniques. The coursework revolves around examining DNA and protein sequences to understand how those can be used to look at evolutionary processes.
What's important is the techniques that the students learn in that class. They're going to be using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) . They're going to be running gels. There are a number of additional things that we expect molecular biology students to learn how to do – but the organisms that we use for those techniques doesn't really matter as far as the class is concerned,” Luke explained.
In the past, the students worked with coral and oyster samples, but through that passing conversation with Sullivan, an idea was sparked to use his unidentified fish samples for DNA analysis. This marked the beginning of a collaboration that would see Molecular Biology students working with Marine Science students to solve real-world scientific questions.
Bringing Molecular Biology to Life Through Fish Identification
One of the project's initial goals was to resolve the identification challenges posed by similar-looking fish species (usually in early stages of life). While ichthyologists with many years of experience working with a species might be able to confirm an identification based on subtle physical characteristics, there is a higher risk for error, especially when dealing with damaged or unfamiliar specimens. This is where the molecular biology class came into play.
Luke’s students applied techniques like PCR and DNA sequencing to the fish samples Sullivan’s team collected. By analyzing the DNA, they could conclusively identify the species, which enhanced the accuracy of the field data. This integration of molecular techniques with traditional ichthyological studies not only provided answers to the questionable samples, but also provided the Marine Science, Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology students with a real connection between the field and lab work.
The collaboration didn’t stop at identifying fish from physical specimens. It soon expanded into the emerging field of Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. In addition to seining for live specimens, water samples were also collected from the environment and analyzed for traces of DNA left by organisms in the water from things such as scales, mucus, or feces. This non-invasive method allows researchers to detect species’ presence without capturing or disturbing as many organisms as possible. eDNA analysis became a powerful tool in the Molecular Biology coursework, complementing traditional sampling methods. Luke’s Molecular Biology students filtered and extracted DNA from water samples collected by Sullivan’s team. The students then applied next-generation sequencing to identify the species present in these samples. In some cases, this method revealed species that were not captured in the nets, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the estuarine ecosystem.
What makes this collaboration particularly remarkable is the level of involvement from both the Marine Science and Molecular B iology classes. Marine Science students initially focus on fieldwork, but through this collaboration they are gaining insights into Molecular Biology, while the Molecular Biology students are learning about the ecological value of their lab work. This approach is uncommon and provides the students with a versatile skill set.
Luke happily explained, “It's a collaboration between our classes which allows Marine Science students to think about things from a molecular perspective. It allows Molecular Biology students to see where samples come from and realize that there's a context, and while they may not understand the context as much as Mark’s students, the fact that they can contribute back and forth between these projects is really an important part of science.”
The success of this project emphasizes the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in scientific research. As eDNA technology becomes more accessible and affordable, it is sure to play a significant role in fisheries management and conservation.
You won’t have to sacrifice as many fish if you're just taking water samples. I think 10 to 15 years from now, maybe even like sooner, this will be a regular part of monitoring… taking Environmental DNA, running those samples in a lab and coming out with a spreadsheet that tells you all of the species that were present in that water sample," Sullivan explained.
He adds, “Environmental DNA typically provides a more comprehensive overview than the physical samples alone. It also collects rare species that you may not be getting in the net.”
In the years to come, we can expect eDNA analysis to become a standard tool in ecological studies, complementing traditional methods and perhaps even replacing some. However, as Sullivan points out, there will always be a need for field biologists to collect physical samples, especially when it comes to understanding the size and age structure of a population. The integration of these methods, as demonstrated by this collaboration, represents the future of fisheries research—one that is more comprehensive, precise, and collaborative. For the students involved, this project is more than just a class assignment; it’s a chance to contribute to real-world scientific research, making it a truly transformative experience.
