Project:

Something's Fishy? DNA Barcode Identification of Fish Products from New York City Chinatown Markets

Students:

Dora Chen, Annie Chen, Milen Girvin

Institution:

St. Francis College,

Mentors:

Kathleen Nolan

Abstract:

We will purchase both fresh fish and canned fish products from markets in NYC Chinatowns in Brooklyn (Dyker Heights) and Manhattan in an attempt to isolate DNA from these samples. We are interested in the Marbled Goby, Striped Bass, and Barramundi but we may sample additional fish. We would like to obtain a few samples of canned tuna fish as well. The sample size will be up to 10 fresh fish (different varieties) and up to five brands of canned fish (most likely, tuna). Through DNA isolation, amplification, and gel electrophoresis, we hope to obtain PCR amplification products to send out for sequencing. From those results, we will be able to compare and contrast DNA sequences within the known database, first using BLAST. We will also create phylogenetic trees through DNA Subway. The broader impacts of this project include: learning about fish biodiversity (through the lens of the fish markets), impacts of fish unearth any possible fish mislabeling by species, and learn more about the ec

Poster:

Team samples: