An in situ digital synthesis strategy for the discovery and description of ocean life.

Journal: Science advances
PMID: 38232174

Abstract

Revolutionary advancements in underwater imaging, robotics, and genomic sequencing have reshaped marine exploration. We present and demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach that uses emerging quantitative imaging technologies, an innovative robotic encapsulation system with in situ RNA preservation and next-generation genomic sequencing to gain comprehensive biological, biophysical, and genomic data from deep-sea organisms. The synthesis of these data provides rich morphological and genetic information for species description, surpassing traditional passive observation methods and preserved specimens, particularly for gelatinous zooplankton. Our approach enhances our ability to study delicate mid-water animals, improving research in the world's oceans.

Authors

  • John A Burns
    Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA; Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA.
  • Kaitlyn P Becker
    Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America.
  • David Casagrande
    Department of Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
  • Joost Daniels
    Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Research and Development, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA.
  • Paul Roberts
    Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Research and Development, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA.
  • Eric Orenstein
    Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Research and Development, Moss Landing, 95039, USA.
  • Daniel M Vogt
    2 Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • Zhi Ern Teoh
    PA Consulting, Concord, MA 01742, USA.
  • Ryan Wood
    Department of Statistics, University of Oxford.
  • Alexander H Yin
    Department of Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
  • Baptiste Genot
    Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA.
  • David F Gruber
    Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College and The Graduate Center PhD Program in Biology, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America.
  • Kakani Katija
    Research and Development, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA.
  • Robert J Wood
    Microrobotics Lab, Harvard University, 149 Maxwell Dworkin Building, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
  • Brennan T Phillips
    Department of Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, United States of America.

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