by Jesselyn Brown and Rosie Kidman

Often in science, it is assumed most of the big discoveries happen out in the field, on glorious expeditions into the unknown. While this is an essential step in research, most of the discoveries are made afterwards, where researchers spend months to years compiling their collected data into a coherent, well curated paper for the scientific community.   Such is the case for the Antarctic marine invertebrate samples collected for the Marine Omics’ group!  Rosie and Jesselyn have been sampling tissue for genomic analyses and preserving specimens for the Museum of Tropical Queensland in JCU’s own Townsville (Bebegu Yumba) Campus; a far stretch in distance and weather from Antarctica!

Rosie (left) and Jesselyn (right) dissecting tissue from echinoderms collected from Heard and McDonald Islands

Each specimen has to be appropriately sampled for genomic analysis and preserved for the museum’s collection. Some of the jarred specimens will eventually be on display for the public, allowing visualization of the creatures living below the ice. However, the most critical part of the project comes from the tiny tissue samples collected before the specimens are preserved.

For example, these echinoderms, as seen on Jesselyn’s dissection board, have tissue samples taken from their arms and from their tube feet.  Although infinitesimally small, such DNA houses a wealth of information! This may reveal anything from population dynamics, evolutionary tracks and divergence records, survival rates over time, and occasionally, enable the prediction of species survival through a rapidly changing climate via paleorecords. These samples will play a vital role in piecing together genetic databases and allowing scientists to develop a deeper understanding of Antarctic fauna!

Nikki, Sally, and Jan had a blast at the SAEF conference in Adelaide. Held at the National Library, it was the first time that many of the participants in SAEF had the opportunity to meet one another!

The ‘Connect’ dream team – from L to R, Sally, Jan, Nikki, and Nerida Wilson.

Biggest congratulations to Sally Lau, who together with Rachael Lappan, was the inaugural recipient of the SAEF biddable Research funding. Aimed at ECRs, it’s an initiative designed to support innovative, high-risk science. Go Sally!

Jan was delighted to meet Alun Thomas, Mawson’s grandson, who gave an inspiring speech about his Grandad. Alun now volunteers at the South Australian Museum where he works on accessioning his grandad’s valuable collections.

Nikki, Sally, Nerida, and Jan sampled Antarctic marine invertebrates at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). We collected tissue samples to investigate evolutionary processes in the Southern Ocean, and also prepared the samples to be accessioned at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).

At the Australian Antarctic Division. Sunny, but nippy for Townsvillians!

Check out those invertebrates! (and our PPE).

Big thanks for all your work helping us accession these valuable samples Kirrily Moore at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).

Big thanks to Glenn Johnstone, Jonny Stark and Kirrily Moore for all their help!

In her capacity as Editor-in-Chief of Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Jan was invited by Ocean Sciences at Springer to write a blog for World Oceans Day, Monday 8 June. In the piece, Jan outlines that World Oceans Day is a moment to celebrate, and reflect upon, the critical role oceans play in our lives. She also argues that International collaboration and evidence-based policy are critical for our future oceans.