eDNA North America

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the term applied to collecting DNA samples for sequencing from air.  This isn’t a topic that fits with MAIN’s focus, but it’s too interesting to exclude.  From researchers at Queen Mary University London: “we demonstrate that eDNA can be collected from air and used to identify mammals. Our proof of concept successfully demonstrated that eDNA sampled from air contained mixed templates which reflect the species known to be present within a confined space and that this material can be accessed using existing sampling methods. We anticipate this demonstration will initiate a much larger research programme in terrestrial airDNA sampling and that this may rapidly advance biomonitoring approaches. Lastly, we outline these and potential related applications we expect to benefit from this development.”  Think of Peanuts character “Pig Pen.”        MORE

 Image Credit:  https://www.bvna.com/other-markets/dna-environmental-dna/environmental-dna