Genetic researchers at the SWFSC archive small tissue and blood samples from free-ranging marine turtles, marine mammal and fishes to assess population genetic structure and to assist in species identification. In addition, researchers employ molecular methods to study the hormones that indicate reproductive status and use stable isotopes to reveal fine-scale geographic origins of animals. The SWFSC has two state-of the art genetics facilities, at the La Jolla and Santa Cruz laboratories, including a clean room for ancient DNA, dedicated pre-PCR rooms, robotic liquid handling for PCR set-up, and instruments for real-time quantitative PCR, fluorescent DNA quantification, microsatellite and SNP genotyping, and DNA sequencing by capillary electrophoresis.
Protected Resources Division
Fisheries Research Division
Fisheries Ecology Division