Brighton Researchers Unveil Groundbreaking Method for Tracking Sea Pollution

The University of Brighton has achieved a significant advancement in tracking marine contamination and ensuring shellfish security.

Scientists at the university have finished the planet's initial genetic mapping of the dog whelk, an important marine creature for monitoring ocean contamination.

The study was headed by Professor Rameen Shakur, who holds the position of professor of genomics and precision medicine at the University of Brighton.

His group succeeded in charting the genetic roadmap of the creature, an essential sea snail integral to marine environments and human nutrition.

The dog whelk, which has the scientific name Nucella Lapillus, is frequently employed to detect the existence of harmful contaminants like untreated sewage, Tributyltin (TBT), and other substances that interfere with the hormonal balance of sea creatures.

Long-term exposure to these contaminants leads to imposex – a phenomenon where female dog whelks develop male sexual traits, resulting in infertility and a decrease in their populations.

These contaminants impact not just the dog whelks but also other marine creatures, such as shellfish that humans eat.

Even though it plays an important role ecologically, no reference genome had been previously provided for the dog whelk.

The absence of a reference genome hindered scientists from employing contemporary genomic techniques to examine the dog whelk's biological processes and its reaction to contamination.

A research conducted by the University of Brighton examined wild dog whelks gathered from the Isle of Islay in Scotland throughout a span of 18 months.

The research offers fresh perspectives on possible dangers facing the seafood sector and comparable hazards to public well-being by uncovering how toxic substances affect the reproduction of dog whelks.

Professor Rameen Shakur, who leads the Brighton Integrated Genomics Unit at the University of Brighton, stated: "Through unlocking the genetic sequence of the dog whelk, we have gained insight into how contamination interferes with sea creatures."

"This new resource will enable researchers worldwide to investigate the genetic mechanisms behind imposex and explore broader questions about marine adaptation, climate stress, and sea pollution.

"Knowing this is vital for developing strategies to protect our ocean ecosystems and human health."

The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh.

Led by Professor Shakur, the team comprised Andrew Hesketh from the University of Brighton, along with Juned Kadiwala, Heleen De Weerd, and Helen Ritch from the University of Edinburgh.

They used advanced sequencing technologies, including PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore sequencing, to generate an accurate and complete genome with 84 per cent assembly completeness.

The genome assembly is now publicly available in Springer Nature, providing a valuable resource for marine biologists, ecotoxicologists, and conservationists worldwide.

Professor Shakur added: "Pollution in the ocean doesn’t just harm sea creatures—it can make its way into the food we eat.

By grasping how contaminants influence dog whelks genetically, we can gain deeper insights into how these substances may affect human well-being.

This study has the potential to render seafood safer while safeguarding both aquatic ecosystems and human health.

"We look forward to building on this research and collaborating with global partners to further explore the effects of climate change and human activity on marine ecosystems."