The Whitney Genetics Laboratory specializes in high-throughput environmental DNA processing for monitoring aquatic invasive species through its Invasive Carp eDNA Monitoring and Genetic Surveillance of Invasive Species programs. Lab staff participate in development of new scientific methods to help meet the management goals of the Service and its partners. These methods are shared with other professionals through publications, presentations, and teaching.

About Us

Staff member uses PCR to process eDNA samples
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The Whitney Genetics Laboratory:

  •  Supports control and management of invasive carp species by providing monitoring data
  • Uses environmental DNA techniques to help prevent invasive carp from establishing sustainable populations in the Great Lakes
  • Develops eDNA and next-generation sequencing tools to detect and monitor aquatic invasive species invasive species
    An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

    Learn more about invasive species     and threatened and endangered species
  • Works with numerous partners to complete the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission

What We Do

At the Whitney Genetics Lab, we protect our aquatic habitats by playing an important part in early detection of invasive carp. Staff at the Midwest Fisheries Center and our partners collect and send thousands of eDNA samples to the Whitney Genetics Lab a year to be processed. eDNA is a useful tool used by managers to determine if more management action is needed to control invasive carp populations. We are expanding the use of eDNA to detect certain endangered species, and other invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species in the region.

Two men in lab coats with hundreds of samples.
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Our Organization

The Whitney Genetics Laboratory is housed within the Midwest Fisheries Center, which also includes the La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, La Crosse Fish Health Center, and administrative, GIS and outreach staff.

The Midwest Fisheries Center is the region’s Fish Technology Center for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Fish Technology Centers provide leadership in science-based management of trust aquatic resources through applied research and the development of new concepts, strategies and techniques to solve problems in aquatic resource conservation. Established in 2015, the Midwest Fisheries Center’s mission is: “Working in partnership, we provide leadership in science, technology and education for conservation of aquatic ecosystems emphasizing fisheries, aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species , genetics and aquatic animal health for the benefit of the public”.

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. From habitat restoration to aquatic invasive species prevention, captive breeding to population assessment and monitoring, our programs are driven by the...
Program
Falls Church,VA
Silver Carp Jumping
Aquatic invasive species cause tremendous harm to our environment, our economy, and our health. They can drive out and eat native plants and wildlife, spread diseases, and damage infrastructure. We work to protect our waterways and the communities that depend on them from the threat of invasive...
Program

Our Species

The Whitney Genetics Lab works on detection of invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species including the highly invasive bighead and silver carp, and the potentially damaging black and grass carp. In addition, the lab works on sensitive species, including the eastern hellbender ,Ozark cavefish, and Wood turtle.

Projects and Research

Invasive Carp eDNA Monitoring Program (ICeM) 

Roughly 9,000-10,000 eDNA samples are collected from the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes watersheds annually. Samples are processed at the WGL using qPCR techniques and are typically run between April-December, sometimes, with a short break. 

Genetic Surveillance of Invasive Species (GeneSIS)

The Whitney Genetics Lab is collaborating with the Northeast Fishery Center to develop a Metabarcoding Early Detection and Monitoring program. The program is being developed to aid Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices to be more efficient in monitoring efforts to detect aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species early. The program is critical to the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish and Aquatic Conservation program to manage aquatic invasive species. Sample timing is still being investigated but will likely occur April-October each year.

Other Projects

  • Marker Design, Development, and Validation
  • Method Improvement for eDNA Monitoring Programs
  • eDNA monitoring for endangered and threatened species
  • Species ID using Sanger Sequencing

Visit Us

USFWS service employee in uniform leads a group of six elementary aged kids through a schoolyard for an environmental education program.
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Outreach Programs

The Whitney Genetics Lab is part of the Midwest Fisheries Center and provides all the same outreach programs available at the Center. All of the programs we offer are free of charge. You can either come visit us for a tour or we can accommodate your needs by coming to you or meeting you at a designated location. We serve the La Crosse area and surrounding counties in all nearby states.

Latest News

Staff member uses PCR to process eDNA samples
Wildlife Management
You can swim, but you can’t hide
Scientists can detect invasive fish in the Great Lakes by identifying their DNA in the water.
Woman in waders holds a pole and sticks it in the water. It is a summers day.
Science and Technology
What’s the best way to collect eDNA?
Although eDNA monitoring is still a relatively new technique, there are also several ways to collect eDNA, and again, the habitat, the species, and the questions being asked dictate which method might be most effective. For the past few years, the La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and...
Vials in vial holder in lab
Science and Technology
Unraveling Mysteries through Collaboration
Unknown origin of bacteria is being studied by the La Crosse Fish Health Center and Whitney Genetics Lab.
A graphic showing a red stop sign with a boat on a ramp.
Recreation
Clean, Drain, Dry
Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species starts with all of us. By working together we can protect our aquatic resources and recreational opportunities for future generations.
Biologists prepare tubes for water samples during an eDNA sampling event.
Science and Technology
Biologists use DNA to locate invasive and endangered species
Invasive species in the United States cause more than $100 billion worth of damage each year! While the financial cost of invasive species is staggering, these invaders also wreak havoc on our ecosystems and threaten vulnerable native species. But scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...
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Get Involved

Children practice archery at the Youth Outdoor Fest in La Crosse
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The Midwest Fisheries Center offers environmental education activities for community groups and schools. In addition, the center can lend fishing poles to local community groups. Each year, the center co-sponsors several events in the community. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available in several different areas.

Location and Contact Information