2024 Research Review

Ecosystem team members sample sediment in the Annisquam River

At Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) we are committed to advancing our understanding of the oceans and inspiring new discoveries that benefit humankind. 2024 was an exciting year for GMGI’s Research Team; we made significant progress across all our research programs impacting fisheries, human health, and the environment. We are profoundly grateful for the generous support of our donors who make this important work possible.

Jump to:

Aging and Cancer Research  |   Aquatic Disease Diagnostics  |  Harmful Algal Blooms  |  Marine Protected Areas  |  Global Biodiversity  |  Fish Epigenetic Aging  |  Offshore Wind  |  Other Highlights

Download PDF of 2024 Research Review

The long-lived red sea urchin can live more than 100 years without showing signs of aging

Aging and Cancer Research

In 2024, GMGI received new funding from the National Science Foundation to develop the next generation of molecular and cellular tools that will transform the ability to use sea urchins as research models. Sea urchins share a close genetic relationship with humans and are a well-established model animal with a long history of contributions to biomedical research. Noted for the absence of cancer despite the fact that some species live longer than 200 years, GMGI researchers have recently published the genome for the long-lived red sea urchin revealing an expanded repertoire of genes associated with the sensory nervous system, innate immunity, and tumor suppressors. With the new tools developed as part of the NSF grant, the team can test the contribution of these genes to healthy aging and cancer resistance.

Aquatic Disease Diagnostics

GMGI and Sherlock Biosciences attracted international attention last year when they were awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the USDA. The SBIR program funds a range of small businesses across multiple technology areas that are addressing scientific challenges in agriculture and aquaculture. In 2024, GMGI and Sherlock completed Phase I of the project to advance the development of a rapid, sensitive diagnostic tool for aquaculture that can be deployed in the field. This test can detect minute quantities of pathogens in less than an hour, instead of days or weeks, including pathogens like White Spot Syndrome Virus, a devastating virus that impacts global shrimp production. GMGI was invited to present the results of this project to an international audience at the Shrimp Summit in Chennai, India in June 2024.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Supported by funding from NOAA’s Monitoring and Event Response Harmful Algal Bloom (MERHAB) research program, GMGI researchers have developed and been testing a CRISPR-based diagnostic test to detect toxin-producing organisms in marine ecosystems that lead to the formation of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Pseudo-nitzschia is a species of marine algae capable of causing HABs via its production of toxic domoic acid. This potent neurotoxin can then accumulate in shellfish who feed on these algae causing shellfish poisoning when ingested by humans and marine mammals. Working with collaborators in Florida and Maine, GMGI researchers have demonstrated that this new diagnostic test can detect toxin-producing species as well as the genes responsible for toxin production. These tools were recently presented to State and local authorities through two workshops.

Matt Harke, Taylor Gibson grab sediment sample from benthic grab in SBNMS

Marine Protected Areas

Supported by funding from the Danaher Foundation, GMGI is conducting whole ecosystem biodiversity assessments within Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) using environmental DNA (eDNA). This critically important Marine Protected Area (MPA) has been established to restore and maintain ocean biodiversity, enhance valuable fisheries resources, and promote resilience by restricting human activity within a specific geographical boundary. Biodiversity conservation is a key management objective for MPAs but an understanding of the full range of biodiversity is lacking due to the limitations of traditional assessment technologies. By capturing all genetic signals using eDNA, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whales, in water and sediment samples, this study provides new data for SBNMS managers to better protect natural resources and monitor the impacts of stressors like climate change on this critically important ocean ecosystem. After sampling every season in 2024, GMGI convened a workshop at the National Marine Sanctuaries Research Coordinators meeting, where they presented their findings and opened a dialogue with other sanctuary staff and scientists across the nation about the role eDNA can play in managing these critically important protected areas.

Global Biodiversity

In collaboration with OceanX and supported by funding from Dalio Philanthropies, GMGI scientists spent over ten weeks at sea aboard the OceanXplorer working with Indonesian scientists to study the waters off the coast of Sumatra. Located in the heart of the coral triangle, this area is home to about 18% of the world’s coral reefs with an incredible diversity of species and is the world’s second largest producer of seafood. GMGI scientists applied genomic technologies to document the incredible biodiversity of this critical region of our oceans, complemented by traditional biodiversity assessments conducted by submarines, remotely operated vehicles, and helicopter flights. In all, the expedition explored over 20,000 kilometers of ocean habitat providing new insights into the biodiversity of the region to inform marine protection and fisheries conservation.

Offshore Wind

Supported by FY25 State earmark funding, GMGI researchers built upon a collaborative project between GMGI, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and the New England Aquarium established in 2023 to investigate the impact of offshore wind on economically important fish species using acoustic telemetry and eDNA. The co-existence of the offshore wind and fisheries industries is essential for the future of the Massachusetts blue economy, and with multiple large-scale projects already underway, there is a need for coordinated research efforts to measure the potential impacts of offshore wind development and construction on the marine ecosystem. This project will help address whether there are changes in fish and invertebrate distributions in response to physical modifications and noise, and the potential for fishing displacement. Preliminary eDNA analysis has detected significant community shifts associated with seasons and construction. Additionally, eDNA data are being used to describe forage fish distribution patterns, a critical data gap that is likely driving predator movements documented using acoustic telemetry data.

Dylan Comb and an Ocean pout

Fish Epigenetic Aging

In collaboration with NOAA Fisheries and supported by the GMGI Research Innovation Fund, the Fisheries Team has been developing a method to accurately age fish individuals using genomics. Fish age data provide essential metrics that are critical for sustainable fisheries management. Currently, reliable age estimates are typically determined by counting annual growth rings (annuli) of fish ear stones (otoliths), a lethal and labor-intensive method only possible with bony fishes. Moreover, the annuli of some species are difficult or impossible to count reliably, particularly long-lived species that exhibit compressed annuli and those with inconsistent annuli formation. GMGI has generated a highly accurate fish aging tool based on DNA methylation rates for haddock and is currently working to use those results to generate a universal fish aging tool that would have the potential to impact global fish stocks.

Other Highlights

  • In 2024, GMGI’s Research Team submitted 9 publications with five published and four in review. To view a list of all publications please click here.
  • GMGI hosted its 9th Annual Science Forum on October 24th at the Cruiseport in Gloucester with more than 100 attendees and an exciting line-up of speakers including new and established leaders in marine science.
  • In 2024, GMGI’s Research Team gave 12 conference presentations, organized four workshops, hosted five seminars, and participated in over 20 invited outreach events at various schools and partner institutions. These invited opportunities at prestigious institutions such as Brown University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution speak to GMGI’s reputation as a leader in the field of marine genomics. To view a list of all presentations please click here.
  • Northeastern Univ. and GMGI formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to leverage each organization’s mutual expertise in advancing solutions-driven coastal research. This MOU provides reciprocal affiliate appointments for GMGI scientists and Northeastern University faculty, promotes resource sharing, and fosters joint career development, outreach, and DEI initiatives.
  • The Research Team were awarded $1.68M for 6 new grants.
  • In 2024, GMGI’s Research Team mentored five interns at our harborside marine research institute, including three students from Gloucester Biotechnology Academy. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience in a working laboratory from a science professional, invaluable experience before heading off into careers in the life science.