Patrick Hutchins
Patrick Hutchins manages the laboratory spaces at NOROCK and conducts research in detection of rare/cryptic species using molecular tools. His investigations range from threatened/endangered species to invasives to parasites. He has extensive experience in designing/validating molecular markers for eDNA and population genetics studies and has designed programming tools for qPCR curve analysis.
My laboratory experience ranges from fish dissection and histological, microscopy, and molecular sample preparation and preservation to next generation high throughput sequencing library preparation. I have extensive experience with methods pertaining to environmental DNA (eDNA) sample collection, processing, and analysis. My analytical skills span advanced curve analysis and transformation methods, linear and non-linear modeling, and both frequentist and Bayesian statistical methods. I am proficient with the R programming language and am familiar with Python. Regarding field-base skills, I am comfortable with coastal marine and inland waters motorized and non-motorized boat operation, multi-day backcountry operations under adverse conditions, being in the presence of large carnivores, and electrofishing with backpack, barge, and boat shocking equipment. I also have extensive experience operating handheld, electric, and heavy equipment for construction and carpentry tasks.
Professional Experience
Biologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, June 2022 - Present
Education and Certifications
M.S. Cellular, Molecular, and Microbiology, University of Montana
M.S. Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies, Coastal Carolina University
B.S. Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Adding invasive species bio-surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage network Adding invasive species bio-surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage network
The costs of invasive species in the United States alone are estimated to exceed US$100 billion per year so a critical tactic in minimizing the costs of invasive species is the development of effective, early-detection systems. To this end, we evaluated the efficacy of adding environmental (e)DNA surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgage network, which consists of > 8...
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Christian Schmidt, Jon Amberg, Patrick R. Hutchins, Christian Stratton, Christopher A. Mebane, Matthew Laramie, David S. Pilliod
Tradeoffs of a portable, field-based environmental DNA platform for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska Tradeoffs of a portable, field-based environmental DNA platform for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has improved detection probabilities of aquatic invasive species but lab-based analytical platforms for eDNA analyses slow opportunities for rapid response. Effective approaches that address this analytical bottleneck and improve capacity for rapid response are urgently needed. We tested the sensitivity of a portable, field-based eDNA platform relative to widely...
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Patrick R. Hutchins, Robert L. Massengill, Kristine J. Dunker
Improved conventional PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in fish tissues Improved conventional PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in fish tissues
Conventional PCR is an established method to detect Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonaeDNA in fish tissues and to confirm diagnosis of proliferative kidney disease (PKD) caused by T. bryosalmonae. However, the commonly used PKX5f‐6r primers were designed with the intention of obtaining sequence information and are suboptimal for determining parasite DNA presence. A new PCR assay to detect T
Authors
Patrick R. Hutchins, Adam J. Sepulveda, Renee M. Martin, Lacey R. Hopper
A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples
A probe-based quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed to detect Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, which causes proliferative kidney disease in salmonid fish, in kidney tissue and environmental DNA (eDNA) water samples. The limits of detection and quantification were 7 and 100 DNA copies for calibration standards and T. bryosalmonae was reliably detected down to 100 copies in tissue...
Authors
Patrick R. Hutchins, Adam J. Sepulveda, Renee Martin, Lacey Hopper
Non-USGS Publications**
Brusa, J.L., Rotella, J.J., Banner, K.M., Hutchins, P.R., 2021, Challenges and opportunities for comparative studies of survival rates: An example with male pinnipeds: Ecology and Evolution, v. 11(12), p. 7980-7999.
Miller, S.R., Longley, R., Hutchins, P.R., Bauersachs, T., 2020, Cellular innovation of the cyanobacterial heterocyst by the adaptive loss of plasticity: Current Biology, v. 30(2), p. 344-350. e4
Sano, E.B., Wall, C.A., Hutchins, P.R., Miller, S.R., 2018, Ancient balancing selection on heterocyst function in a cosmopolitan cyanobacterium: Nature Ecology & Evolution, v. 2(3), p. 510-519.
Hutchins, P.R.; Miller, S.R., 2017, Genomics of variation in nitrogen fixation activity in a population of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus: The ISME Journal, v. 11(1), p. 78-86.
Hutchins, P.R., Smith, E.M., Koepfler, E.T., Viso, R.F., Peterson, R.N., 2014, Metabolic responses of estuarine microbial communities to discharge of surface runoff and groundwater from contrasting landscapes: Estuaries and coasts, v. 37, p. 736-750.
Peterson, R.N., Breier, J.A., Harmon, L.R., Brusa, J.L., Hutchins, P.R., 2013, Development of a sparging chamber for field radon analysis: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, v. 298, p. 1347-1357.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Adding invasive species bio-surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage network Adding invasive species bio-surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage network
The costs of invasive species in the United States alone are estimated to exceed US$100 billion per year so a critical tactic in minimizing the costs of invasive species is the development of effective, early-detection systems. To this end, we evaluated the efficacy of adding environmental (e)DNA surveillance to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgage network, which consists of > 8...
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Christian Schmidt, Jon Amberg, Patrick R. Hutchins, Christian Stratton, Christopher A. Mebane, Matthew Laramie, David S. Pilliod
Tradeoffs of a portable, field-based environmental DNA platform for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska Tradeoffs of a portable, field-based environmental DNA platform for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has improved detection probabilities of aquatic invasive species but lab-based analytical platforms for eDNA analyses slow opportunities for rapid response. Effective approaches that address this analytical bottleneck and improve capacity for rapid response are urgently needed. We tested the sensitivity of a portable, field-based eDNA platform relative to widely...
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Patrick R. Hutchins, Robert L. Massengill, Kristine J. Dunker
Improved conventional PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in fish tissues Improved conventional PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in fish tissues
Conventional PCR is an established method to detect Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonaeDNA in fish tissues and to confirm diagnosis of proliferative kidney disease (PKD) caused by T. bryosalmonae. However, the commonly used PKX5f‐6r primers were designed with the intention of obtaining sequence information and are suboptimal for determining parasite DNA presence. A new PCR assay to detect T
Authors
Patrick R. Hutchins, Adam J. Sepulveda, Renee M. Martin, Lacey R. Hopper
A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples
A probe-based quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed to detect Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, which causes proliferative kidney disease in salmonid fish, in kidney tissue and environmental DNA (eDNA) water samples. The limits of detection and quantification were 7 and 100 DNA copies for calibration standards and T. bryosalmonae was reliably detected down to 100 copies in tissue...
Authors
Patrick R. Hutchins, Adam J. Sepulveda, Renee Martin, Lacey Hopper
Non-USGS Publications**
Brusa, J.L., Rotella, J.J., Banner, K.M., Hutchins, P.R., 2021, Challenges and opportunities for comparative studies of survival rates: An example with male pinnipeds: Ecology and Evolution, v. 11(12), p. 7980-7999.
Miller, S.R., Longley, R., Hutchins, P.R., Bauersachs, T., 2020, Cellular innovation of the cyanobacterial heterocyst by the adaptive loss of plasticity: Current Biology, v. 30(2), p. 344-350. e4
Sano, E.B., Wall, C.A., Hutchins, P.R., Miller, S.R., 2018, Ancient balancing selection on heterocyst function in a cosmopolitan cyanobacterium: Nature Ecology & Evolution, v. 2(3), p. 510-519.
Hutchins, P.R.; Miller, S.R., 2017, Genomics of variation in nitrogen fixation activity in a population of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus: The ISME Journal, v. 11(1), p. 78-86.
Hutchins, P.R., Smith, E.M., Koepfler, E.T., Viso, R.F., Peterson, R.N., 2014, Metabolic responses of estuarine microbial communities to discharge of surface runoff and groundwater from contrasting landscapes: Estuaries and coasts, v. 37, p. 736-750.
Peterson, R.N., Breier, J.A., Harmon, L.R., Brusa, J.L., Hutchins, P.R., 2013, Development of a sparging chamber for field radon analysis: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, v. 298, p. 1347-1357.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.