News - Page 4 - Marine Biosecurity Toolbox

Chasing eDNA signal of the Mediterranean fanworm in the Bay of islands

08/11/2020

We have started to employ modelling approaches to better understand and predict the dispersal of eDNA in the marine environment. Learn about our first field sampling campaign for testing whether the developed model can robustly predict where and when in the tidal cycle eDNA can be detected.

Right on-the-spot! How a human biologist became engaged in developing a rapid molecular test for marine pest detection

30/10/2020

Learn how Martin Zirngibl is contributing his knowledge and skills gained in a human biology field to developing a rapid and easy-to-apply in-field test for the Mediterranean fanworm detection.

From teachers to students: weaving biosecurity knowledge into the future

15/10/2020

We have commenced a series of hands-on activities with partner teachers to introduce them to key concepts in marine ecology and biosecurity, molecular methods and useful resources for incorporation into the schools’ curriculum and for future citizen scientists engaged in molecular biosecurity surveillance.

Understanding habitat features of native mussel reefs

29/09/2020

Our project is making a start using the endemic, green-lipped mussel (kutai) to develop artificial surfaces that are attractive to native species and make them want to settle and stay for the long haul. Such surfaces can then be incorporated into coastal infrastructure, a process referred to as ‘ecological engineering’.

Crack open the bubbles – it works!

25/09/2020

Our recent experimental trials demonstrate that bubble streams are highly effective in controlling biofouling accumulation on experimental surfaces, and we are now keenly focused on developing operational systems to deploy in New Zealand’s ports and marinas

Better ways to capture DNA and RNA from water – collaboration with Dr. Holly Bowers from Moss Landing Marine Labs

22/09/2020

Holly Bowers joined our group as a visiting researcher and worked with the DETECT and ECONOMICS & DECISION-SUPPORT teams to define better (and more efficient) methods to capture nucleic acids (environmental DNA and RNA) from marine waters.

What Can DNA in the Environment Tell Us About an Ecosystem?

05/08/2020

An educational article on environmental DNA was published in Frontiers for Young Minds journal - a unique open-access scientific journal aimed at younger audiences with scientific articles reviewed by a board of kids and teens.

Linking DNA-based methods to actionable marine environmental management

30/07/2020

Together with a wide group of international experts a roadmap for a meaningful collaboration between researchers and end-users towards the implementation of molecular methods in marine policies was suggested and published in a peer-reviewed paper.

The risks of using molecular biodiversity data for incidental detection of species of concern

13/07/2020

An important opinion paper on “The risks of using molecular biodiversity data for incidental detection of species of concern”, published in Diversity and Distributions journal.

Ecosystems monitoring powered by environmental genomics

20/05/2020

A review paper on recent implementations of environmental genomic-based methods, applied to biomonitoring of ecosystems was published in collaboration with world-leading scientists in that field.

Sign-up to our Newsletter