Project background
Previous MAISRC research emphasized the need for cost-effective monitoring to track aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevalence and enable early detection. Environmental DNA (eDNA) shows promise for detecting multiple AIS invasions at low cost, but detection methods require further refinement before they can be widely adopted.
A new technology, nanopore sequencing, offers potential for on-site, rapid, and cost-effective detection of multiple AIS through whole-community analysis, thanks to its portability and quick turnaround time. However, applying nanopore sequencing to eDNA surveillance is still in the experimental stages and requires the development of an appropriate workflow for practical use.
MAISRC researchers are working to create a framework for using nanopore sequencing to identify multiple AIS invertebrate species, using Minnesota as a case study. This project involves developing and testing a nanopore sequencing workflow with mock communities containing priority AIS invertebrates and related native species. The workflow will then be applied to environmental samples to identify AIS invertebrates.
MAISRC researchers will draft instructional materials for using nanopore sequencing in AIS detection. Their findings aim to provide stakeholders with a rapid and portable tool for AIS monitoring that can be applied across different locations and time periods.