Asbury University Professor of Biology Dr. Ben Brammell and students who worked in his lab recently published an article in the journal Herpetology Notes titled “The use of eDNA in the detection of the salamanders Pseudotriton ruber (Sonnini & Latreille, 1801) and Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (Green, 1827): development and validation of quantitative PCR assays and notes on phylogeographic effectiveness.” Authors included first author Sara Brewer ’24, Rebecca Piche ’22, Florene Bell ’19, Angie Flores ’19, Dr. Kenton Sena ’12 (University of Kentucky),Dr. Thomas Maigret (University of Kentucky), Chi Jing Leow ’20, and Dr. Ben Brammell.
“Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a relatively new technique that enables the detection of species using the DNA they leave behind. This DNA may be extracted and quantified from water, soil, or even air,” Brammell said. “eDNA is especially useful in detecting cryptic organisms: organisms that are rare and/or secretive and therefore difficult to detect via traditional collection methods. The first study using eDNA to detect animals was published in 2008. Since that time, the number of eDNA studies published annually has increased exponentially as the technique has revolutionized the manner in which ecological studies are conducted.”
In this study, Dr. Brammell’s lab developed molecular tools, called “assays,” for use in detection of two salamander species that widely are distributed but of conservation concern: the northern red salamander and the spring salamander.
“Although the development and validation process are labor-intensive, once developed, these tools are available for use by any researcher interested in studying these species,” Brammell said.
Brammell and his students also examined the effects of evolution on the effectiveness of these assays throughout these species’ range. This is the first time these effects have been quantified for such an assay, and the results hold significance for other similar eDNA assays.
Asbury University scientists continue to publish findings in biological journals.
In March, a publication from the Asbury University Shaw School of Sciences earned the distinction of being selected as the cover article for an issue of the journal Fishes. Dr. Ben Brammell, Dr. Ben McLaughlin ’07, Sara Brewer ’24, Karly Fetter ’26, Lauren Slone ’27, and Matt Kulp (lead fisheries biologist, Great Smoky Mountains National Park) authored the article titled “Ichthyofaunal Metabarcoding in the Southern Appalachians: Use of eDNA Metabarcoding in Fish Surveys in Lotic Systems of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Comparisons to Historic Electrofishing Data.”
Coauthors and current AU students Karly Fetter and Lauren Slone have secured spots in the University of Kentucky Medical School’s Early Assurance Program and continue conducting research in Brammell’s lab.
“I love getting to work with our students,” Brammell said. “The most rewarding part of my career is the opportunity to observe students go through a transformation from enthusiastic but inexperienced young people to competent colleagues that share an interest in and love for the natural world. Partnering with them in research is extremely rewarding.”
The Shaw School of Sciences offers 14 majors and six minors, including biology, chemistry, and physics. The Walt and Rowena Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (Shaw CLC) offers 11 laboratories, with spaces dedicated to eDNA research, cell and molecular biochemistry, ecology and environmental science, physics, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, instrumentation, biology preparation, chemistry preparation, and collaborative innovation.