Ocean DNA: Constructing a “Bio-Map” of Marine Organisms Using DNA Sequence Analyses

What types of organisms inhabit our oceans? Where are they located, and in what abundance? While these are fundamental questions, they remain largely unanswered. At the same time, overfishing has significantly depleted marine animal populations worldwide, raising concerns about the sustainability of our oceans. In this project, we aim to create a comprehensive “bio-map” of marine organisms in the northwest Pacific by combining cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis with extensive field observations. Additionally, we are developing innovative algorithms to estimate resource abundance from the collected data.
Understanding the structure of marine food chains is essential for the conservation, management, and sustainable utilization of marine resources. However, past efforts have been limited by technological constraints. Through this project, we aim to overcome these challenges, offering insights that will guide sustainable practices for marine resource use. The findings will also help determine the responsible harvesting levels of marine life to ensure long-term ecological balance.

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