2009-2010

News Release

REF NO.: 148

SUBJECT: Memorial University to collaborate in identifying Lance Cove sea monster

DATE: March 4, 2010

Researchers from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will apply state-of-the-art forensic genetics to the identification of a ‘sea monster’ discovered in Lance Cove, Trinity Bay.
The work will be done by Dr. Beth Perry, Genomics and Proteomics lab, and Dr. Steve Carr, Department of Biology, both from Memorial University; and Jack Lawson, Dept of Fisheries and Oceans, St John’s.
Dr. Carr, a noted blobologist, says the method involves extraction of DNA from the carcass, ‘DNA Xeroxing’ to increase the DNA concentration, and sequence analysis against a database of large marine animals in the North Atlantic. Test results are expected next week.
The study is part of long-standing joint research between Memorial and DFO into the genetics and evolution of marine species.

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