We can purify eDNA from environmental samples, such as water or soil, and sequence it to identify the presence or absences of species in a location. This is done by comparing eDNA to reference sequences for different species, which are known as DNA barcodes.
eDNA is increasingly being used around the world in very diverse ways, including:
- detecting biosecurity pests
- surveying the fish species present on reefs
- detecting viruses like SARS-CoV2 in wastewater
- searching for cryptic species like the platypus
- measuring the productivity of fisheries
- mapping species distributions
- detecting rare and endangered species
At CSIRO, our expertise in eDNA spans many areas. The potential applications are enormous.
Talk to us about how we can help - whether you work in freshwater, marine, microbial or terrestrial systems.
Freshwater eDNA
Dr David Beale
Senior Research Scientist, Adjunct Associate Professor of RMIT University (LAND & WATER)
Marine eDNA
Dr David Beale
Senior Research Scientist, Adjunct Associate Professor of RMIT University (LAND & WATER)
Microbial eDNA
Dr David Beale
Senior Research Scientist, Adjunct Associate Professor of RMIT University (LAND & WATER)
Terrestrial eDNA
Dr Francisco Encinas-Viso
Research scientist