Small steps
Fish and Game September Newsletter
In the last few weeks the main progess has been with the staff at MPI. After some constructive discussion they have given us permission to collect our first didymo samples. These samples will be to sequence the RNA to see if we can identify any novel viruses that already infect and co-exist with didymo.
We have to be very careful that these samples are not live, so that we do not spread didymo. We therefore have a strict protocol that we agreed with MPI, that includes processing the samples at the riverside. The samples will be immersed in a special solution that lyses cells and also halts the activity of enzymes that might otherwise damage the RNA present. We then submerse these samples in liquid nitrogen, so the deep freezing makes doubly sure that all the didymo is dead. We also adhere to all the Check, Clean, Dry precautions so make sure we don’t spread any didymo on our clothing, footwear, vehicles, etc.
We are hoping to collect our first sample in the next month or so. We will eventually have to collect similar samples from more than 20 waterways across the South Island, to see whether any such viruses exist, and whether they exist across the country, but at present we only have enough funds for one sample from one river, so we are starting at the beginning!
The main aim of this first study is:
a) to see whether such viruses exist as these might be one strategy by which we could deliver interfering RNA into didymo to turn off the rock snot production, and
b) to publish our findings to demonstrate to potential funding bodies that we have the capability and ideas required to tackle didymo, in th ehope of attracting the sort of funding we will need to get this done.
Also, we saw a clear increase in donations following the feature in the Fish & Game September Newsletter, which was great to see. There were a total of 12 donations, totaling $725. That got us over the $2000 first hurdle to be able to go ahead with the study above. Those donations have now stopped coming, so if you know anyone who might want to join our fight against didymo, please let them know about what we are trying to do. Thanks! tom
