Meeting Abstract

109.7  Tuesday, Jan. 7 09:30  Next-generation sequencing of legacy collections at the American Museum of Natural History BRUGLER, M.R.*; RODRIGUEZ, E.; SIDDALL, M.E.; AMATO, G.; Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics (SICG), American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA; Division of Invertebrate Zoology, AMNH; SICG, AMNH; SICG, AMNH mbrugler@amnh.org

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s largest repositories of preserved specimens in the world. To take advantage of these legacy collections, the AMNH’s Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics recently acquired a 454 Next-Gen Sequencer and initiated a collaboration with the New York Genome Center. We are utilizing transcriptomics to elucidate the evolution of venom genes (model system: sea anemones), anticoagulant genes (terrestrial and aquatic leeches), wing development genes (damselflies), gene expression levels in metamorphosing flatfish larvae and marker development for phylogenetic analysis of Eleodes darkling beetles and deep-sea anemones (the latter will serve as a case study). Whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGSS) is being used to characterize the luciferase gene(s) of deep-sea myctophids (lanternfish), map polydnaviridae sequence in a parasitic wasp genome, and to determine whether the rate of molecular evolution is correlated with mitochondrial gene rearrangements in the order Actiniaria (sea anemones). Lastly, amplicon sequencing is being used to elucidate the biodiversity and ecology of microbiomes in the Amazon River. We have also undertaken an innovative approach of combining amplicons and WGSS into a single 454 run to analyze the crop blood meals of haemadipsid leeches as well as crop-resident bacteria and trypanosomatid flagellates. Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing projects that are being completed in collaboration with the Weill Cornell Medical College will also be discussed.