Analysis pipeline for sea ice reconstructions using ancient environmental DNA

Current models of past sea ice reconstruction in the Arctic rely on a combination of microfossils and chemical bio-markers in sediments in order to extrapolate past sea ice extent. In order to address some of the weaknesses inherent in these traditional sea ice proxies, the recently funded KLIMAFORSK project "aDNAPROX - environmental DNA as a proxy for sea ice reconstructions" (RCN project nr. 268062) will utilize next generation amplicon sequencing of ancient DNA (aDNA) from Arctic sea floor sediment cores to determine whether the aDNA proxy can improve sea ice reconstruction models. aDNA-based identification of taxonomic signatures specific to different layers of the geological record demonstrates compelling discriminatory potential, and further suggests that aDNA analysis, in combination with traditional proxies, may indeed improve sea ice reconstruction models. In order to assess the utility of aDNA as a sea ice proxy, both independently and in synthesis with classical proxies, the aDNA sequence data must be rigorously evaluated using a broad range of bioinformatic and statistical tools. aDNAPROX project partner Univ. of Glasgow (UG) has provided the project with access to a 200-core computing cluster and over 400 bioinformatic and statistical software packages for use in aDNAPROX. The aim of this application is to procure funding for Work Package Leader Jessica Louise Ray (Uni Research Environment) to travel to UG and spend a dedicated period of time working on iterative informatic analysis of aDNA sequence results in order to identify a best-practice analysis pipeline and to conclusively establish the degree to which aDNA can inform past sea ice reconstruction models. Furthermore, the statistical identification of sea ice extent-associated indicator taxa will facilitate development of specific, quantitative molecular tools that can be readily applied toward analysis of both past and extant biodiversity in the Arctic and biome response to global warming.