Thailand’s coastal ecosystems, significantly its mangroves, are wealthy in biodiversity and play essential roles in coastal safety, carbon storage, and marine productiveness. Nonetheless, these ecosystems face extreme threats from local weather change, air pollution, and habitat degradation. Genomic conservation in Thailand seeks to guard the genetic range of mangroves by utilizing fashionable strategies resembling DNA sequencing and genetic monitoring.
On this interview, Wirulda Pootakham, the Director of Thailand’s Nationwide Omic Centre, talks to NewsMedical about genomic conservation in Thailand’s mangroves.
Might you inform us about your job on the Nationwide Omic Facilities and the way you got here to specialise in ecosystems like mangroves?
My title is Wirulda Pootakham. I’m the Head of the Genomic Analysis Lab at Thailand’s Nationwide Omic Centre. My colleagues and I conduct genomic analysis, specializing in genetic range in essential ecosystems resembling mangrove forests.
These ecosystems are vital for Thailand’s biodiversity and are delicate to pure and human-induced stressors. Understanding their genetic make-up would possibly assist guarantee their persistence regardless of appreciable threats from local weather change and habitat destruction.
Picture Credit score: AofLine/Shutterstock.com
Might you elaborate on the important thing species present in Thailand, the dangers they face, and why genetic range is so vital to their resilience?
Thailand’s mangroves are residence to roughly 81 species, with 34 designated “true” mangroves. The principal species are Sonnertia, Rhizophora, Ceriops, and Bruguiera.
Most of those species develop in southern Thailand, significantly alongside the shore and intertidal zones. Sadly, over the past 5 many years, virtually 60 % of our mangrove forests have been devastated as a result of deforestation, aquaculture growth, and urbanization.
Genetic selection is essential for mangroves as a result of it permits crops to adapt to environmental stressors, together with rising temperatures, salinity fluctuations, and illness. Earlier restoration initiatives didn’t deal with genetic range, lowering resilience. Our analysis seeks to unravel this by supporting genetically diverse populations in restoration efforts, making them extra immune to assaults.
Tackling Ecosystem Problem with MGI Sequencing Expertise in Thailand
How can sequencing applied sciences contribute to mangrove ecosystem research?
Sequencing applied sciences present detailed genomic info that helps researchers perceive the variations of mangroves to their difficult intertidal environments.
These applied sciences allow the meeting of high-quality reference genomes, that are important for learning genetic traits linked to emphasize tolerance, copy, and survival in saline and hypoxic circumstances.
This genetic perception helps conservation efforts by figuring out traits essential for resilience and restoration, enabling extra knowledgeable administration of mangrove ecosystems.
Picture Credit score: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
Might you clarify how MGI’s expertise has helped you improve your analysis on mangroves?
MGI has been a key collaborator in supplying us with high-quality sequencing expertise. We’ve got employed MGI-seq for whole-genome sequencing and different functions, resembling RAD-seq, to quantify genetic range precisely.
Thus far, we’ve got sequenced round 15 of Thailand’s 80 mangrove species. This technique has additionally enabled us to seek out SNP markers, that are essential for assessing genetic range inside and between animal populations.
These findings are essential with rising ocean temperatures triggering bleaching occasions, as we skilled this 12 months. Our work with MGI additionally contains important agricultural crops like rice, sugarcane, and corn, the place genetic insights would possibly enhance resilience to environmental modifications.
Picture Credit score: Zhukova Valentyna/Shutterstock.com
How can applied sciences like RAD-seq assist deal with the challenges related to learning mangroves?
Finding out mangroves presents a number of challenges, together with understanding their genetic range, biodiversity, and evolutionary variations. Restriction Website-Related DNA Sequencing (RAD-seq) expertise could be very helpful in addressing these challenges.
It gives ample Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) information to comprehensively analyze the genetic variation of mangrove populations. This enables researchers to check biodiversity, genetic construction, and evolutionary historical past extra successfully.
By figuring out key genetic markers, RAD-seq permits us to know how mangroves have advanced and tailored, which is important for his or her conservation and restoration efforts. Furthermore, this system might help determine endangered or susceptible species inside mangrove ecosystems, additional supporting their safety
About Wirulda Pootakham
Wirulda Pootakham earned her Bachelor’s diploma in Plant Molecular Biology from Cornell College in 2002, graduating summa cum laude. She accomplished her PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at Stanford College in 2010 and joined the Genomic Analysis Lab on the Nationwide Middle for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) in Thailand.
Her analysis focuses on utilizing genomic applied sciences to develop elite forms of economically vital crops like oil palm, rubber tree, cassava, and sugarcane. She has obtained a number of awards, together with the Younger Technologist Award from the Basis for the Promotion of Science and Expertise underneath the Patronage of His Majesty the King in 2017 and the Taguchi Prize for Excellent Analysis Achievement in Biotechnology from the Thai Society for Biotechnology in 2022.
Pootakham has been concerned in initiatives addressing environmental problems with coral bleaching within the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. In recognition of her pioneering work in assessing coral genetic range in Thai waters, she was honored with the UNESCO-L’Oréal For Ladies in Science Fellowship in 2018. Her current initiatives embody assessing genetic range in mangrove populations to assist conservation efforts alongside Thailand’s coasts.
About MGI
MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, collectively known as MGI) is dedicated to constructing core instruments and applied sciences that drive innovation in life science. Our focus lies in analysis & improvement, manufacturing, and gross sales of devices, reagents, and associated merchandise within the discipline of life science and biotechnology. We offer real-time, multi-omics, and a full spectrum of digital gear and programs for precision medication, agriculture, healthcare, and numerous different industries.
Based in 2016, MGI has grown into a frontrunner in life science, serving prospects throughout six continents and establishing analysis, manufacturing, coaching, and after-sales service services globally. MGI stands out as one of many few firms able to independently growing and mass-producing clinical-grade gene sequencers with various throughput capacities, starting from Gb to Tb ranges. With unparalleled experience, cutting-edge merchandise, and a dedication to international impression, MGI continues to form the trajectory of life sciences into the long run.
As of June 30, 2024, MGI has a workforce over 2,670 staff, with analysis and improvement personnel accounting for about 32.16%. Our enterprise spans over 100 nations and areas worldwide, serving greater than 3,000 customers.
