Sequench

Absolutely blown away by Citizens of the Sea progress over the last 4 months! 👇 I’d like to personally acknowledge the incredible efforts of the Cawthron Institute and Sequench labs, as well as our technical partners Illumina and QIAGEN and Esri ArcGIS Online, for their key role in enabling the production of such a massive dataset in record time. The work being done by these teams is nothing short of revolutionary, and I’m so proud of what we've achieved together. This project is proving just how scalable, cost-effective, and impactful citizen science initiatives can be. The potential to transform global ocean monitoring and understanding is within our grasp, and it's happening thanks to the dedication of this amazing team. Time to crunch the data and share it with you as soon as possible - Stay tuned

Another exciting collaboration with Sequench - We are on a mission to explore the diet of the mysterious #hourglass #dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger) using DNA fingerprints from the stomach contents🌎🧬 #eDNA, #marinemammals, #cetaceans, #polar, #vagrants, #CERG, #SFTNS, Department of Conservation (DOC), Massey University

🌊Today, we're diving into an incredible new journey in collaboration with Karen Stockin and the Massey University's Cetacean Ecology Research Group to unlock the hidden lives of the elusive rough-toothed dolphin. Using cutting-edge #eDNA analysis, we'll be exploring the DNA fingerprints from the stomach contents of stranded dolphins, offering rare insights into the diet and ecology of the Pacific rough-toothed dolphins population. 🐬Our hope? To contribute crucial knowledge that can support the conservation of this remarkable species—especially as they navigate the challenges of our rapidly changing oceans. 🌎🧬 #ConservationScience #eDNA #OceanEcology #MarineResearch #marinemammals #cetaceans

The brilliant team at Sequench laboratory in Nelson, New Zealand were nice enough to share a few words about their experience with Illumina’s technical support team including our own Field Application Scientist, Francesca Lamante who spent some time at Sequench to work with the team and deliver library preparation trainings as they ramp up sequencing on their new NextSeq 1000. Looks like things are running smooth in New Zealand!   Get the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gyw_grxK #NGS #genomics

🌊At Sequench, we're proud to be at the forefront of providing advanced sequencing services to support global ocean monitoring and climate change research! 🤩 Excited to play a key role in the Citizens of the Sea project in collaboration with Illumina, Cawthron Institute, New Zealand Geographic and the enthusiastic team of sailors! Learn more about our work and this incredible initiative in the video below. 👇

💡 Have you ever wondered what happens to an #eDNA sample after you collect it from the environment? 🌟 Watch our new entertaining animation to learn about the the lab process that transforms #eDNA into a biodiversity treasure map! 👇 Feel free to share and follow our Youtube channel for more useful #eDNA resources! https://lnkd.in/d7mGfTsd #eDNA #laboratory #education #biodiversity

🌊 Exciting week for citizen science in Fiji! 🌊 Last week, Citizens of the Sea hosted a vibrant series of workshops in Fiji. We kicked off in Suva with a seminar at The University of the South Pacific, where we also connected with key stakeholders like katy soapi from Pacific Community-SPC, and Joeli Veitayaki & Rufino Varea, all of whom play critical roles in marine conservation and community development in the region. We then travelled to Musket Cove, to join citizen science sailors, local communities and NGO’s. Particular thanks goes to Reef Explorer Fiji (Victor Bonito) for his generosity, and to Illumina, who funded the workshops that enabled us to come together, connect, and share what has been learnt. Day 1 - Sailors had a unique opportunity to explore coral reefs and learn about climate change from Austin Bowden-Kerby. They visited the BULA reef coral nursery, an inspiring project supported by UNESCO, for an immersive and educational experience. Day 2 -  High-calibre presentations and discussions were had with over 50 attendees, including sailors, scientists, the Ministry of Fisheries Fiji, and local NGOs. Highlights included talks from Victor Bonito on coral reefs and conservation and Jone Waitiati on his work protecting the Rainbow Reef. James Frankham from New Zealand Geographic, shared the 3D coral reef models generated by Citizens of the Sea sailors, which can help monitor coral health, diversity and invasive species. Melissa White from The International SeaKeepers Society and Belen Jimenez from NIWA showcased seabed mapping efforts from Citizens of the Sea vessels that are contributing to the global Seabed 2030 initiative, while Anastasija Zaiko from Sequench and Xavier Pochon from Cawthron Institute presented groundbreaking eDNA data revealing patterns of ocean life across the South West Pacific. We’re thrilled by the valuable feedback and discussions with sailors on recruiting, training, operations, and outreach efforts. A massive thanks to all our partners for supporting this important work to safeguard our blue planet: Illumina, Live Ocean, The International SeaKeepers Society, Island Cruising NZ Ltd, Sequench, Smith-Root Inc., VEPA (Karen Stone), Reef Explorer Fiji, QIAGEN, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kernohan Engineering, KiwiNet, Esri ArcGIS Online, Resn, Chapman Tripp, Embassy of France in New Zealand (Pacific Fund), The University of Auckland, DiveVolk, Conservation International and the Tongan Voyaging Society, Subsea Environmental Services, and Fabrice Amedeo at Ocean Calling.   🌍💙 #MarineConservation #CitizenScience #OceanHealth

Being part of a great scientific mission and working alongside people passionate about our Planet 🌎 and our Ocean 🌊- that’s what makes our daily work exciting! Go Citizens of the Sea! 🤩 and thanks Illumina for the technology that makes it possible to explore marine life at scale with #eDNA!

And now in English! 😎 Check out this fun and simple explanation of the #eDNA concept. 📣 Feel free to share and use for educational purposes! 🎥 Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/dPDxG95V Psst... 📢There are more videos coming about #eDNA and its applications, so follow the Sequench channel on #YouTube to stay updated! 📺✨ https://lnkd.in/d669ewik

📢 For everyone in the #eDNA field or those eager to learn and share experiences—this is a must-attend event! Don't miss the opportunity to be part of the SeDNAs Society's 2nd Australian & New Zealand eDNA Conference. Submit your abstract by 16 August and join the conversation! P.S. It's not exclusive to AU and NZ—it's a fantastic chance to connect with the wider eDNA community down under (and explore the beautiful New Zealand)! 😎 #eDNA #Research #Innovation #Collaboration