Julie Poulain Research Engineer in Molecular Biology at the Genoscope (CEA National Sequencing Centre), Julie Poulain participated in the Tara Oceans, Tara Polar Circle and Tara Pacific expeditions where she implemented in situ sampling and sequencing. It is with the next generation sequencer, the Minion, already experienced on Tara, that she takes on the « Pourquoi Pas ? » as part of the collaboration IFREMER / Genoscope for the project « Pourquoi Pas Les Abysses ? ». 
Animals leave traces of their passage with DNA fragments that end up in the sediment. Some of the genetic analysis was done on board on the boat. Another part will be done after the return of the campaign ashore. It will take several years to exploit all the data collected.
 Collection and preservation of sediment aliquots to extract DNAs. ADNs prepared and adapted for sequencing using nanopores placed on Minion instrument. Extraction of NDA from sediment aliquots. Preparation and adaptation of extracted DNA for MinIon sequencing. The ambitious project « Pourquoi pas les abysses ? » aims to increase knowledge of deep water biodiversity. It will help study on a large scale the marine biodiversity patterns in the deep ocean trenches and will enable progress toward the identification of these lesser-known species. The AMIGO2018 mission between Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Brest is part of a cycle of missions to fuel marine biodiversity inventories. The purpose is to take samples that are then processed to extract the DNA. This allows the new molecular “Barcode” methods to take stock of local species. The Pourquoi Pas ? is an oceanographic research vessel named in homage to the Commandant Charcot. This famous French sailor and oceanographer made his polar expeditions aboard four exploration ships of the same name. Nowadays the Pourquoi Pas ? is part of the deep-sea ships of the IFREMER fleet. The ship is in service since September 27th, 2005. With a length of almost 110 m, this ship enables the IFREMER to lead several missions such as hydrography, cartography and the deployments of exploration submarines like the Nautile. The French Navy borrows the ship 150 days per year.