Octopus DNA Research Wins 2025 Eureka Prize for Antarctic Ice Sheet Discovery
A research team led by Professor Jan Strugnell has received the 2025 Aspire Scholarship Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research. Their study used octopus genetics to determine that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed approximately 120,000 years ago when global temperatures were only slightly higher than pre-industrial levels. The findings suggest current climate conditions may have already reached a tipping point for similar ice loss. The work involved analyzing museum specimens collected over four decades and represents a collaboration between biology, oceanography, and geology. The team is now expanding their research to other Antarctic species through the Australian Research Council's Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future initiative.
Key facts
- Research team won 2025 Eureka Prize for Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
- Study used octopus DNA to date West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse to 120,000 years ago
- Findings suggest current warming levels may trigger irreversible Antarctic ice loss
- Research relied on museum specimens collected over 40 years
- Team is expanding research to other species through Australian Research Council program
Entities
Institutions
- Australian Museum
- Australian Research Council
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future (SAEF)
Locations
- Antarctica
- Australia