PhD defence: Clara Isabel Wagner

Thesis title​​​:

Exploring the nuclear genome of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Trial lecture topic:

How genomics resources help in the management and conservation of threatened aquatic species: a focus on sharks

Evaluation Committee​:

• Senior Bioinformaticist Marcela Uliano da Silva, Wellcome Sanger Institute & Postdoctoral By-Fellow Churchill College, University of Cambridge, UK
• Researcher Natacha Nikolic, French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France
• Professor Henning Reiss, Nord University

Supervisory Committee:

• Main supervisor: Professor Leslie Noble, Nord University
• Co-supervisor: Professor Galice Hoarau, Nord University
• Co-supervisor: Senior Lecturer Catherine Jones, University of Aberdeen, UK

Thesis summary:

Over 30% of global shark species are currently considered as threatened with extinction. Consequently, evidence-based approaches based on genomics are crucial to aid shark conservation. In my thesis, I provide the first description of the nuclear genome of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a shark fished heavily for human consumption, and currently assessed as vulnerable worldwide and endangered in Europe. This new genome data has applications in conservation efforts, and also in ecology, evolution and biomedical research, among others. I, together with co-authors, explored the genome and discovered an expansion of genes related to immunity in this species. Our findings open the door for a whole new field of research in this and related sharks, which could eventually lead to medical applications. Furthermore, using the published genome of another shark species, we developed novel molecular tools for conservation studies of the spiny dogfish and other sharks threatened with extinction. We expect these developments to aid shark conservation of not just one, but several shark species worldwide.