VIRGINIA
TECH'S HALLERMAN GENETICALLY
FINGERPRINTS WILDLIFE
BLACKSBURG,
Dec. 6, 2002 - Eric
Hallerman's genetic
fingerprinting research
is providing critical
information needed
for the management
of black bears and
other animals in the
wild. Hallerman, an
associate professor
in the Department
of Fisheries and Wildlife
Sciences at Virginia
Tech and the sole
geneticist in the
College of Natural
Resources, has been
conducting research
in the field of genetic
fingerprinting since
1984.
Genetic
fingerprinting is
a procedure that begins
with the extraction
of DNA from a research
subject. The DNA is
then amplified to
identify specific
target sequences for
that particular subject
by placing it into
a PCR (polymerase
chain reaction) machine.
The machine heats
the target molecules
causing denaturation,
which provides double
the number of templates
for the next cycle.
Once the DNA is amplified
substantially, it
is transferred into
a gel and detected
by gel electrophoresis
and staining (also
known as DNA sequencing).
Once these sequences
are characterized,
geneticists can then
assess into which
population or species
a given subject fits.
Hallerman
has genetically fingerprinted
species such as the
black bear, walleye,
Madagascar fish eagle,
and the bacterium
E. coli. In collaboration
with Michael Vaughan,
Virginia Tech wildlife
professor, Hallerman
helped identify subspecies
of the American black
bear to facilitate
protection of certain
populations belonging
to endangered subspecies.
In addition, Hallerman
and Vaughan are studying
the population of
black bears near Virginia's
Great Dismal Swamp
to identify possible
effects on the population
if federal highways
are widened through
their habitat.
The
walleye is a fish
that once thrived
in Virginia's New
River. When the population
decreased, walleyes
were brought in from
Minnesota with hopes
of regenerating a
stable population.
However, walleyes
native to the New
River grow up to four
times larger than
those from Minnesota.
Hallerman, along with
Virginia Tech fisheries
and wildlife professor
Brian Murphy, genetically
fingerprinted the
population of walleyes
in the New River to
determine which individuals
were native to the
river. These native
walleyes were then
spawned in a hatchery
to create a population
of fish that have
the same genes as
the native walleyes.
Hallerman,
along with Virginia
Tech fisheries and
wildlife professor
James Fraser and post-doctorate
student Melanie Culver;
Rick Watson of the
Peregrine Fund; and
Ruth Tingay of Nottingham
University determined
that "helper" males
attending nests of
Madagascar fish eagles
were not just helping
to feed the young,
but also breeding.
Because a larger number
of individuals are
involved in breeding,
loss of genetic variation
is less likely to
threaten the viability
of the species. The
species for research
are chosen based on
their population levels
and on the necessity
for understanding
differences between
individuals and populations
in a species.
Hallerman
and Yechezkel Kashi
of Technion University
in Israel created
a collection of molecular
tests for the presence
of E. coli in food
and water. Use of
a kit containing these
testing materials
would cut the time
needed to detect and
identify dangerous
E. coli in food and
water.
Genetic
fingerprinting can
also be used with
human subjects. During
the O.J. Simpson trial
genetic fingerprinting
was used to determine
whose blood was found
at the crime scene.
On October 12 in Bali,
180 people were killed
in an explosion and
genetic fingerprinting
was used to determine
the identity of the
victims.
In
addition, genetic
fingerprinting has
ramifications for
national security
because it makes identification
of suspects and victims
much easier. For example,
genetic fingerprinting
studies showed that
that source of the
spore in the anthrax
mailings were identical
to stocks of anthrax
maintained by the
U.S. Army since 1980.
