A zoologist from the University of Chester has highlighted a groundbreaking approach using a “molecular time machine” to enhance our understanding of evolutionary history, combat wildlife crime, and address food fraud. Dr. Virginia Harvey has been conducting research worldwide on how protein analysis can serve as a vital resource in wildlife forensics.
While DNA analysis remains crucial for identifying species and aiding conservation efforts, it can sometimes fail due to the degradation of samples. In such instances, the emerging technique of protein analysis is proving to be invaluable in tracing and identifying animal products.
Dr. Harvey recently presented her findings during a lecture at Charles University in Prague. Attendees learned how her “protein fingerprinting” technique can reveal species that existed thousands of years ago, demonstrating its practical applications in real-world scenarios.
Dr. Harvey remarked, “I have been fortunate to engage in fascinating projects that merge science, archaeology, and conservation while allowing me to travel.” She specializes in utilizing proteins for species identification, a method that is particularly useful when samples are too degraded for morphological or DNA analysis.
“All organisms contain proteins, which are essential building blocks of life. Although DNA analysis has been around for over 50 years, protein analysis has only gained traction in the last 15 years, making it a relatively new technique. Its full potential is still being explored by researchers globally,” she explained.
During her doctoral research, Dr. Harvey analyzed proteins preserved in ancient turtle bones to identify turtle species harvested around 2,000 years ago in Florida and the Caribbean. She has also successfully used protein analysis for species identification in fish, showing the possibility of reconstructing past species distributions even when DNA is not available.
“It feels like having a molecular time machine; we can uncover what species thrived hundreds or thousands of years ago, providing insight into how human actions have influenced biodiversity over time,” she said.
In her current research, Dr. Harvey is applying similar biomolecular techniques to wildlife forensics, focusing on identifying illegal wildlife products and instances of mislabeling in the food industry. She noted, “Mislabelling is particularly rampant in fish products, with studies indicating that, on average, one quarter of fish sold is mislabelled, whether through species substitution or misrepresenting wild-caught fish as farmed for financial gain.”
Dr. Harvey described her research as akin to detective work, where she utilizes molecular clues for species identification to explore the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. She is presently collaborating with master”s students on research projects related to DNA and proteins, and she welcomes inquiries from students interested in pursuing a master”s or PhD under her guidance.
