I-Corps: Commercialization of Genetic Identification Services for Invasive Aquatic Plant Management

研究人员已经确定了分子遗传技术来鉴定入侵水生植物的隐性谱系，这些谱系不能用传统的视觉识别轻易区分。这些谱系在与其管理相关的性状上经常不同，例如它们对除草剂的反应。特别是一些品种具有抗除草剂性，这是水生生态系统管理中的一个重要问题。成功和经济有效地管理入侵水生植物物种的一个主要挑战是在规定特定管理活动之前准确确定湖泊或池塘中存在哪些谱系的能力。例如，将入侵谱系与本地物种区分开来是至关重要的，因为本地物种通常不允许进行管理活动。同样，在使用除草剂之前预测对除草剂的反应是可取的，因为除草剂失效会对经济和环境产生不利影响。因此，迫切需要将基础研究转化为商业风险评估工具，为个别湖泊提供基于知识的管理战略。

Researchers have identified molecular genetic techniques to identify cryptic lineages of invasive aquatic plants - lineages that cannot be easily distinguished using traditional visual identification. These lineages frequently differ in traits that are relevant to their management, such as how they respond to herbicides. In particular, some lineages are herbicide resistant, which is an important emerging issue in aquatic ecosystem management.A major challenge for the successful and economically efficient management of invasive aquatic plant species is the ability to accurately determine which lineage(s) are present in a lake or pond before prescribing a specific management activity. For example, it is critical to distinguish invasive lineages from native species because native species are not typically permitted for management activities. Similarly, it is desirable to predict response to herbicides before they are applied, as herbicide failures have adverse economic and environmental effects. Thus, there is immediate need to translate basic research into commercial risk assessment tools that will provide knowledge-based management strategies for individual lakes.