Environmental Genomics - An Introduction

5,34

MB

109

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5057

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Environment Agency

2003

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND FOREWORD i

LIST OF TABLES iv

LIST OF FIGURES iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vi

1. WHAT IS GENOMICS? 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 The vocabulary of genomics 4

1.3 Genomics and the biological effect cascade 8

2. TECHNIQUES IN GENOMICS 10

2.1 Molecular techniques to study ecological condition 10

2.2 Are genomics technologies “fit for purpose” 18

2.3 Genomics tools that are at or near market 19

3. HOW CAN GENOMICS BE USED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ENVIRONMENT? – CASE

STUDIES 22

3.1 Changes in Gene Expression in response to Eutrophic and Oligotrophic Conditions 22

3.2 Molecular biological characterisation of ammonia-oxidising bacteria within a domestic effluent

treatment plant treating industrial effluents 25

3.3 Endocrine disruption in fish, with a focus on oestrogenic effects 29

3.4 Exploiting a Genomics Approach to Develop a Terrestrial Biomarker for Heavy Metal

Contamination 35

3.5 Toxicogenomic Profiling of Bioreactive Particles within Diesel Exhaust 41

4. A REVIEW OF LARGE ENVIRONMENTAL GENOMICS PROGRAMMES 43

4.1 UK Programmes 43

4.2 International programmes 51

5. POTENTIAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL GENOMICS 57

5.1 What can it deliver to the Environment Agency? 57

5.2 Implications of Genomics for the end-users and society 65

6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 68

6.1 Concluding remarks 68

6.2 Recommendations 68

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS 70

APPENDIX B REFERENCES 81

APPENDIX C NERC FUNDED PROGRAMMES 88

APPENDIX D BBSRC FUNDED POST-GENOMICS PROGRAMMES 99