Environmental science looks to genomics

Genomics has received a lot of attention in the past few years, characterisation of whole genomes has revolutionised biological research – and now it looks set to do the same for environmental science.

Roach can undergo gender change if    exposed to contaceptive pills

The environmental genomics programme, established by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), set out to demonstrate to the environmental community - in particular regulators and industry - just how post-genomic technologies can be applied to tackle environmental issues.  

With the end of programme event held last month, the scientists involved hoped to have done just that. 

Charles Tyler, one of the programmes researchers, from the University of Exeter, said: “Genomics is a very powerful tool in the understanding of organisms and how they function. Studying groups of genes that contribute to a particular process allows us to make a far more powerful analysis on how stressors like pollutants affect organisms than if we were to look at single genes.”
One group of researchers involved in the programme used genetic manipulation to produce a strain of roundworm that can detect pollutants in soil. The worms were altered to bio-fluoresce when exposed to pollutants and can be used to assess the extent to which soils contain metals. This method of detection allows scientists to perform rapid screening for pollutants whilst out in the field and is extremely useful in environmental monitoring and the rehabilitation of brownfield sites (areas of land previously used by polluting industries).

Researchers also used genomics to look at how thousands of genes respond to pollutants in fish. It has been discovered that chemical pollutants in domestic sewage can cause male fish to develop female sex cells in their testes. Exposure to ethinyloestradiol (a chemical found in oral contraceptive pills) can induce a complete gender change in roach (a common fish in UK Rivers) - completely transforming their testes into ovaries.

“Studying the genomes of fish provides a highly integrated system for monitoring the quality of the aquatic environment. Results like this demonstrate how genomic technologies can be applied to tackle environmental issues,” said Tyler.