A high-quality genome for investigating the impact of microplastics on striped Venus clams (Chamelea gallina)
- luisamarins19
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
In June 2024, a team of researchers from the Department of Biology of the University of Padova undertook a project to sequence the genome of the striped Venus clam Chamelea gallina, with the support of Biodiversity Genomics Europe - European Reference Genome Atlas (BGE-ERGA). This project stems from the ongoing PLASTICVONG case study, which combines cutting-edge genomics, analytical chemistry, risk assessment, and the evaluation of possible impact of micro- and nano-plastics on clam physiology.
Specimens of C. gallina were collected from the Central Adriatic Sea. Then, genomic DNA and total RNA from hemolymph, gills, digestive gland, mantle, and gonads were individually purified and quantified. Long-read PacBio sequencing has already provided a draft genome assembly, which will be further scaffolded with Hi-C DNA sequencing to achieve a chromosome-level genome. RNA sequencing will be used to refine gene annotations and will open the way to transcriptomic studies.
Linking the genetic blueprint of C. gallina with the functional clam responses to micro- and nano-plastics, this work will provide a knowledge basis for improving the management of this marine resource and seafood quality. The initiative is made possible by PLASTICVONG (code IZS AM 07/22 RC, coordinator Dr. Federica Di Giacinto), funded under the “programma di Ricerca Corrente 2022” of the Italian Ministry of Health, and the BGE project. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Holger Krisp for permitting us to use his art-photos of C. gallina.
About the Authors
Paola Venier is an associate professor in Microbiology with experience in genetic toxicology and functional genomics. She is part of the Human Genetics and Functional Genomics group of the Department of Biology, University of Padova (Italy), PLASTICVONG partner, and the ERGA member coordinating the generation of the high-quality clam genome.
Umberto Rosani is a researcher in Genetics interested in the evolution of animal genomes, with a particular focus on defense molecules. He works at the Department of Biology of the University of Padova (Italy) and holds a courtesy position at Stony Brook University (US).
Bortoletto Enrico is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy. As an ERGA member, he is contributing to the assembly of the C. gallina reference genome.