MEGASAT: High throughput automated genotyping of microsatellites by sequencing.
Research
Research in the Bentzen Lab focuses on population genetics and the use of DNA-based methods to answer questions related to the ecology, evolution, conservation biology and management of fishes and other aquatic and marine organisms.
Biodiversity within Species
Research in our lab examines biodiversity within species. Our focus is on aquatic organisms, primarily fishes, and especially fishes in Atlantic Canada. The research tools we use are mostly DNA-based, but we also use ecological, environmental and behavioural data.
Genomes, Individuals and Populations
We want to know how genetic variation is distributed across genomes, individuals and populations, and about the evolutionary and ecological processes that shape that genetic variation. We are interested in how populations are connected, whether they are locally adapted, and how genetic divergence can lead to formation of new species.
Applications
Much of our research has applications for conservation and management of wild populations. In some of our projects we use genetic data to develop tools to trace the population origins of fish caught in mixed stock fisheries. Other projects have contributed to Canada- and world-wide efforts to develop DNA barcoding tools to identify species – in our case, Atlantic Canadian fishes.
People
Current lab members
Dr. Paul Bentzen
Paul Bentzen is a professor in Biology, and directs the Marine Gene Probe Laboratory. He is also currently Chair of the Biology Department.
Ben Perriman
Ben is an MSc student studying the phenotypic consequences of hybridization between wild Atlantic salmon and escaped farmed Atlantic salmon. He is co-supervised by Ian Bradbury and Paul Bentzen.
Ian Paterson
Ian is the laboratory manager for the Marine Gene Probe Laboratory, a multi-user facility directed by Paul Bentzen.
Beth Watson
Beth is an MSc student studying the indirect genetic effects of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon on local wild salmon populations. She is co-supervised by Paul Bentzen and Ian Bradbury.
Robert Fairweather
Robert is a PhD student studying the population genomics of northwest Atlantic cod. He is co-supervised by Paul Bentzen and Ian Bradbury.
Stan King
Stan is a PhD student studying the population genetics and phylogenetics of Gyrodactylus parasites of fishes.
Publications
Paul Bentzen on Google Scholar and ResearchGate
Google Scholar
ResearchGate
Images
Fish and field work related images
Image metadata, including species names and locations, can be found at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Some recent and current collaborators
Contact Us
Contact us for collaborations, questions or to say hi
Main Office
Dr. Paul Bentzen
Biology Department – Dalhousie University
1355 Oxford Street
Halifax – Nova Scotia
B3H 4R2
Phone: (902) 494-1105