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Project news

A Day in the Life of a Shark Conservation Genetics Intern

Project co-leads Steve Kessel and Kevin Feldheim and project intern Karen Figueroa discuss the extraction process at the Pritzker DNA Lab in Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. Photo @ Brenna Hernandez | Shedd Aquarium
By Steven Kessel and Kevin Feldheim, 6th February 2024

Project intern Karen Figueroa examining the sampled Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi) DNA. Photo © Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Have you ever wondered how DNA is extracted from shark fin clips for genetic sequencing? Well, join Karen Figueroa, a project intern at the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History, and your guide to the mesmerizing process of extracting DNA from shark fin clips. In this video, you will step into a day in Karen’s life as she works in the Pritzker DNA Lab, skilfully extracting DNA from Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) fin clip samples in preparation for cutting-edge Next-Generation sequencing.

Project intern Karen Figueroa demonstrating the DNA extraction process from a shark fin clipping. Video © Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Project co-leads Steve Kessel and Kevin Feldheim and project intern Karen Figueroa discuss the extraction process at the Pritzker DNA Lab in Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. Photo @ Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

 

Project
Caribbean connections

Steven and Kevin are using genetic techniques to understand how Caribbean reef shark populations are connected across the extent of their range. Populations of this Endangered shark are in decline generally, but where they are managed and there is effective protection, their numbers are stable. With the integration of the correct information, Steven and Kevin are convinced that we can give Caribbean reef sharks a better shot at recovery and population stabilisation. They will also explore any barriers to connectivity, looking to the future recruitment and recovery of these sharks.

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