2nd International Workshop on Conservation Biology

The idea of Cannibalism Gene Transfer to Mnemiopsis leidyi

Not scheduled

UP FAMNIT, Koper, Slovenia

Speakers

Mr Majid Honari Lecce Gourabi (Azad University Of Lahijan)Ms Motahareh Mohsenpour (Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology/Tehran/Iran)

Description

It has been some years that the arrival of Mnemiopsis leidyi to the Caspian Sea and feeding on the zooplankton and fish eggs and larvae of fish have caused substantial decrease in number of Caspian Sea Sprat. So far, a lot of studies are offered to deal with the problem of increasing Mnemiopsis leidyi, and finally the best way to eliminate it has been bringing another ctenophora called Beroe ovata as a hunter to the Caspian Sea, but it should also be considered that there is the possibility that this species in the future poses a threat to sea Caspian. Therefore, the purpose of this idea is destruction of Mnemiopsis leidyi without serious danger to the Caspian Sea and the life there. Since sequencing the genome of M. leidyi has recently been available, the first step of this project is to compare Transcriptome of non-cannibal type of this ctenophora and its close cannibal species with NGS technique. After analyzing sequencing of genes to identify the probable genes involved in cannibalism, cannibalism trait is identified and after supplemental studies, candidate genes will be introduced. Appropriate genetic structure having CMV virus E1 gene promoter and Terminator SV40 poly (A) signal sequences and other suitable regulatory areas for showing candidate genes in invasive ctenophora will be prepared and will be transferred into fertile eggs of ctenophora by microinjection. Molecular analyzes including PCR, southern blot, RT-PCR in adult Mnemiopsis leidyi will prove primary genes and transformation. Resulting transgenic Mnemiopsis leidyi after proliferation is tested by Functional assay to prove the received trait. It is expected that by achieving transgenic M. leidyi carrying cannibalism gene and transferring them into the sea in large numbers, the number of M. leidyi and feeding competition with Caspian Sea Sprat is reduced and the number of this fish increases again. Since M. leidyi has caused more than 120 billion tomans of damage to country, it is hoped that the idea presented in this project will be able to solve this problem in the future.