• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Thursday, August 28, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Biology

Injury dressings in first-aid kits provide a new technique to reveal shark species after bite incidents

by
July 30, 2024
in Biology
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

Scientists have revealed that injury dressings found in first-aid kits can reliably be used to identify shark species involved in bite incidents by deploying medical gauze to gather DNA samples from aquatic equipment, such as surfboards.

Dr Belinda Martin at Flinders University.

Credit: Dr Belinda Martin at Flinders University..

Scientists have revealed that injury dressings found in first-aid kits can reliably be used to identify shark species involved in bite incidents by deploying medical gauze to gather DNA samples from aquatic equipment, such as surfboards.

The Flinders University research shows that this new collection method can improve how shark-related incidents are investigated and can provide accurate and timely information about species using regular first-aid equipment carried by surfers, boaties, and emergency responders.  

The study published in the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics included researchers from Flinders University, The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and is based on three separate shark incidents after which samples were obtained from surf skis and a surfboard.

Using the PCR testing method popularised by COVID-19, they showed that a similar approach that uses a medical gauze to collect organic tissue and DNA samples from shark bites works brilliantly. The researchers successfully identified the shark species responsible for each bite across three separate incidents in Australia and South Africa, including an example that was over a month after the incident. 

The researchers also tested the effectiveness of ordinary gauze when compared to specialised forensic swabs, normally used to collect genetic material from shark bite materials. They found that both the gauze and swabs worked well to identify the shark species.

The study’s lead author at Flinders University’s College of Science & Engineering, Dr. Belinda Martin, says the rapid identification of shark species is important in producing accurate information that can guide future prevention measures and reduce the number of shark incidents.

“Human-shark interactions cause public anxiety, especially following fatal bites, so identifying the species involved, although difficult, is essential to provide information to victims and communities but eye-witness accounts aren’t always accurate because people are dealing with trauma after the event, so we’ve tested and validated a new approach to collect DNA using regular gauze found in first-aid kits.”

“This approach is important in providing a new DNA collection technique and will be of interest to first responders, including surfers, lifesavers, police, and paramedics, as well as the wider community.”

“As long as humans engage in marine activities, shark-human interactions will continue, and although the likelihood of such interactions remains incredibly low, shark bites deeply affect the victims, family and friends of the victim, witnesses, and communities when they occur.”

Co-author Dr Michael Doane at Flinders University says the testing method can provide samples hours to days following a shark bite that can be used to reliably identify the species.

“We have shown that the use of gauzes, which is widely available and accessible, is a simple and effective alternative to forensic-grade sterile swabs. Therefore, we encourage the use of gauze as a means for collecting DNA by first responders, including surf-lifesavers, police, and first aiders.”
“Moving forward, we recommend that first responders take samples for genetic analysis using sterile gauze from the bite site as soon as reasonable to limit contamination or DNA loss and increase the probability of the species being identified.”

The paper, Who bit the boat? New DNA collection and genomic methods enable species identification in suspected shark-related incidents, by Belinda Martin, Michael P. Doane, Jessica Henkens, Jess A.T Morgan, Laura Inglus, Victor M.Peddemors, Elizabeth A.Dinsdale, Charlie Huveneers and Lauren Meyer was published in Forensic Science International Journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103087

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the individuals who collected the samples and ensured efficient delivery to the authors. We also acknowledge everyone involved and affected by the three incidents reported in this study.



Journal

Forensic Science International Genetics

DOI

10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103087

Method of Research

Case study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Who bit the boat? New DNA collection and genomic methods enable species identification in suspected shark-related incidents

Article Publication Date

21-Jul-2024

Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

Red Beet Gene Boosts Tuber Growth and Disease Resistance

Red Beet Gene Boosts Tuber Growth and Disease Resistance

August 28, 2025
blank

VHL Inhibits Angiogenesis via HIF-1a in Macrophages

August 28, 2025

Trainer Insights on Canine Aggression and Behavior Solutions

August 27, 2025

Genomic Analysis Reveals How Cavefish Evolved to Lose Their Eyes

August 27, 2025

POPULAR NEWS

  • blank

    Breakthrough in Computer Hardware Advances Solves Complex Optimization Challenges

    149 shares
    Share 60 Tweet 37
  • Molecules in Focus: Capturing the Timeless Dance of Particles

    142 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • New Drug Formulation Transforms Intravenous Treatments into Rapid Injections

    115 shares
    Share 46 Tweet 29
  • Neuropsychiatric Risks Linked to COVID-19 Revealed

    82 shares
    Share 33 Tweet 21

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Transforming Biomedical Engineering Education in the Philippines

TLR4 Polymorphisms Increase Risk in CMV-Positive Pregnancies

Advancing Diabetes Care: The Role of CGM Systems

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.