Qatar University (QU) researchers have identified 11 new species using their genetic print, including three shrimps named Alpheus Qatari, Palaemon Khori (Al Khor) and Alpheus Arabicus.
According to an article in the latest issue of Qatar University Research Magazine, the Biomedical Research Center (BRC) at QU, through its Omics laboratories (genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics and proteomics), fills the void of the urgent need for extensive research to identify/decipher the genetic landscape of different wild and endangered animal species.
The research team, which includes Dr. Fatiha M. Benslimane, a Research Associate at the BRC, and Dr. Bruno Giraldes, an Assistant Professor at the Environmental Science Center (ESC), have been tasked to expedite research related to the Qatari national genomic habitat.
“The team selected over 20 potentially new species for genetic studies. To date, eleven new species have been identified using their genetic print. Of these species, three shrimps were named about Qatar (Alpheus Qatari), the location they were collected (Palaemon Khori collected from Al Khor) or the Arabic culture (Alpheus Arabicus). The report stated that the project creates the first milestone to preserve Qatar’s heritage by identifying its unique rich marine species and recognizing them internationally,” the report stated.
Dr. Benslimane has established a genetic lab solely dedicated to genetic studies of marine species and has introduced the latest third-generation sequencing technology, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), GridION and MinION, to facilitate the research.
The researchers noted that this study increases the ONT’s TRL (Technology Readiness Level) for its use in Qatari marine environment assessment. The technology has reached TRL 6 level and has been validated for genetic studies with Qatar marine species.
The research is significant in the sense that researchers expect its outputs to place “Qatar at the forefront of marine genetic studies in the region, in addition to the international recognition of its rich environment,” the report added.
The ongoing researches at QU emphasize Qatar’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, which are core elements of the Qatar National Vision QNV 2030 which aims to direct Qatar towards a balance between developmental needs and protecting its natural environment.
