Short Wave Vacuuming DNA Out Of The Air
Feb 22, 2022
Elizabeth Clare, an ecologist from York University, is pioneering the study of rare animals by gathering their environmental DNA (eDNA) from the air. She shares her groundbreaking method of collecting DNA without needing to capture the creatures directly. Clare discusses testing her technique at a zoo and how it could change conservation efforts. This innovative approach not only aids in monitoring endangered species but also offers a new way to detect invasive species, promising a revolution in ecological research.
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Zoo eDNA Collection
- Elizabeth Clare tested eDNA collection at Hamilton Zoo.
- They used a small filter and pump to capture airborne DNA from animals like dingoes.
eDNA Sources
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) can be collected from various sources, including air.
- It's shed by living things, offering a non-invasive way to study them.
eDNA Discovery
- The first report of eDNA was from 2003 from ice cores and permafrost.
- Since then, it has been found almost everywhere scientists have looked, from water to honey.