1. New Tools for Wildlife Research DNA: The Future of Wildlife & Fish Conservation in the 21st Century Dr. Christopher Kyle, Associate Professor, Forensic Science Department

2. Genomic Tools Next generation sequencing (NGS)- masses of data generated time/cost effectively Revolutionizing understanding of our natural world -personalized human medicine -beginning to extend to wildlife research Move from correlative genetic patterns to causative relationships between genes and environment

3. Genome Sequencing -reveals unique cod immune system -sequence of extinct woolly mammoth Transcriptome -tame and aggressive silver fox Mutation Analysis -differential methylation of brain DNA in queens and workers -easier to put puzzle together SMRT Sequencing

5. Adaptation to Wildlife Disease Climatic changes altering disease mechanisms, introducing new diseases and disease vectors Capacity for species to respond/adapt to rapid changes in environment? Assist in developing management/ surveillance strategies for disease

6. Raccoon Rabies -Recent rapid spread of disease (0-60 years) -Few barriers to dispersal -Much genetic variation at immune genes, more in south -Only weak patterns suggesting adaptation to disease -Recent rapid spread of disease (0-60 years) -Few barriers to dispersal -Much genetic variation at immune genes, more in south -Only weak patterns suggesting adaptation to disease

7. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) viral disease of white-tailed deer, transmitted by midges that are expanding range northwards each year clinical signs highly variable in nature and severity. EHD up to 2003

8. Implications? Understand capacity for species to adapt to changes to environment Refines disease control strategies Provide information for predictive, NOT responsive actions Technology rapidly expanding, need for human resources to generate, analyze and interpret these data Transferable/marketable skills -industry -medicine -conservation Attract/keep highly trained individuals with permanent well-paid positions Infrastructure – with funding for upkeep and personnel University support for wildlife genetic initiatives to promote leadership in field Continue to build on strong, successful OMNR collaborations Needs for Success?