CBMA Conference explored the hidden biodiversity of the deep sea through environmental DNA
The latest edition of the CBMA Conferences welcomed Dr. Annette Govindarajan, molecular ecologist and biological oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI, USA), for a seminar on the emerging role of environmental DNA (eDNA) in exploring deep-sea biodiversity.
In her talk, Exploring Deep Sea Biodiversity with Environmental DNA, Dr. Govindarajan highlighted how eDNA metabarcoding is transforming the study of marine life in one of Earth’s least explored environments. The deep sea, which extends from 200 metres below the surface to the deepest ocean trenches, is the largest biome on the planet and plays a fundamental role in the global carbon cycle. Yet, its biodiversity remains poorly understood due to the logistical challenges of sampling such remote habitats.
The seminar showcased how eDNA enables researchers to detect species from traces of genetic material released into the environment, complementing and, in some cases, revealing biodiversity that traditional sampling methods fail to capture. Dr. Govindarajan also discussed the challenges of interpreting deep-sea eDNA signals, including their origin, transport, and persistence in the water column.
Drawing on recent research from her laboratory, she presented advances in autonomous sampling technologies and robotic platforms designed for deep-sea applications, as well as findings from expeditions investigating midwater and seamount ecosystems. Her work contributes to a better understanding of species distributions, ecological interactions, and the impacts of environmental change in the deep ocean.
The visit also highlighted an emerging international collaboration involving CBMA. Dr. Govindarajan is a partner in the recently awarded OBON-SAIGe Global Fish Observatory Grant, FOBIS – Fisheries, Oceanographic and Biodiversity Monitoring Iberian Site, led by Miguel Santos at the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). CBMA is one of the project partners, strengthening its involvement in international initiatives advancing biomolecular ocean observing and marine biodiversity monitoring.
We thank Dr. Annette Govindarajan for sharing her research with the CBMA community and everyone who joined this edition of the CBMA Conferences.
