ID: 613 / 111

Category: Symposia

Track: Pending

Proposed Symposium Title: USING TARGET CAPTURE SEQUENCING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL DNA SAMPLES TO CHARACTERIZE FOOD, THE NATURAL WORLD, AND ANCIENT ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract: Target capture sequencing and environmental DNA (eDNA) are both at a methodological forefront in broader biology. With the introduction of the universal Angiosperms353 Target Capture Kit in 2018, it is now feasible to gather genome-scale data that is suitable for population genomics studies for all flowering plants at a cost more affordable than whole genome sequencing. eDNA studies have emerged as a non-invasive technique to monitor and detect both common and rare species at a low cost compared to traditional observation methods. This has unlocked the ability for botanists to monitor plant-ecosystem interactions, track plant biodiversity, and elucidate ancient plant community trends. Studies using eDNA typically rely on shotgun sequencing or metabarcoding, however, target capture sequencing of eDNA samples is developing as a powerful tool for better exploring both contemporary and ancient plant communities. This session is intended to broadly interest and inform botanists using or interested in incorporating this cutting edge and cost-efficient methodology for analyzing mixed DNA samples. The scope of this symposium involves any project that uses any target capture kit in conjunction with a mixed DNA sample like sediment, soil, water, food, etc. The goals of this symposium are to explore the theoretical applications, novel methodology, and results from the merger between target capture sequencing and eDNA. Inclusion of this symposium is important to IBC and its attendees as the intersection of these methodologies is powerful but is currently underexplored. Our objective is to expand our capability to explore the biodiversity and genetics of our food and medicines, the natural world, and ancient ecosystems.

Speaker 1: NAME: Madeline Slimp INSTITUTION: University of California Santa Cruz EMAIL: mslimp@ucsc.edu TENTATIVE TALK TITLE: Ancient DNA recovered from sediment shows plant composition shifts with historical human demography

Speaker 2: NAME: Elizabeth Hunter INSTITUTION: United States Food and Drug Administration EMAIL: Elizabeth.Hunter@fda.hhs.gov TALK TITLE: Utilizing Big Data to Identify Tiny Toxic Components in Plants

Speaker 3: NAME: Antoine Nsabimana INSTITUTION: University of Rwanda EMAIL: antoine.nsabimana@gmail.com TALK TITLE: Ancient and contemporary biomonitoring of Rwanda’s Akagera National Park using eDNA target capture and metabarcoding

Topics (Up to three): Ecology and Plant Communities

Topic 2: Paleobotany / Archaeobotany

Topic 3: Bioinformatics

Justification: Plant DNA remains as free environmental DNA can reveal stunning amounts of new information to advance science, particularly in the fields of historical botany, ecology, biogeography, ethnobotany and paleoclimatology. Plant environmental DNA assays and analysis for contemporary and ancient applications are developing extremely rapidly, and policies are in turn evolving to leverage or regulate the use of these new tools. At the same time, there are many national calls to broaden capacity across fields and to expand literacy outside of molecular laboratories and molecular data users so we can guide the expansion and optimization of these tools.