ID-Gene Videos
Environmental DNA for biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystemsWatch our videos to learn how ID-Gene analyses eDNA using high-throughput sequencing technology and how eDNA can be used to assess ecological quality status of marine and freshwater ecosystems.
In these four video interviews, Jan Pawlowski (CEO), Kristina Cermakova (Project and lab manager), and Anne Mondino (Scientific collaborator) will take you through a typical day at ID-GENE, from sample collection out in the field, to sample preparation, sequencing, and data analysis in the lab.
eDNA monitoring at ID-GENE
Our work consists in identifying the diversity of organisms living in the environment.
Environmental DNA analysis allows for rapid and frequent monitoring of bioindicators for environmental health assessment and early warning of invasive species.
Examples of eDNA applications
Diatoms are very useful as bioindicators because they react, they are very sensitive to chemical pollutions.
Environmental DNA can be sequenced to predict ecological status of aquatic environments in a cheap and rapid way, for applications such as aquaculture management or environmental impact assessment.
eDNA sequencing workflow
We take each new sample going up the stream so we don’t contaminate the samples with some exogenous DNA.
Once the environmental samples have been collected from the field, eDNA is extracted, amplified, sequenced, and analyzed in the lab using high-throughput sequencing technology.
eDNA challenges and future perspectives
The technology is moving forward very rapidly forward. When I started we did 100 sequences per sample. Today we do 100,000 sequences per sample. And I think in the future we will see like 1 million sequences or even more.
As threats like pollution, industrial impact, and invasive species are impacting ecological diversity, it’s essential to understand how ecosystems function to implement action plans and regulations.
Besides chemical measurements, biological survey is an important part of assessing the quality of a water body. By studying the community of organisms, the qualitative status of the environment can be revealed. All the organisms leave their DNA behind, macroscopic animals, as well as smaller organisms. The water is full of DNA of different origin: microfauna, bacteria, meiofauna. Sampling just a few liters allows to recover a wide range of biodiversity. Environmental DNA adds a new dimension to traditional biosurveys.
WE DEVELOP eDNA TESTS TO SUIT YOUR SPECIFIC REQUESTS
Get in touch to discuss how ID-GENE can solve your environmental analysis needs
ID-GENE ecodiagnostics
109 ch. du Pont-du-Centenaire, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates
2a ch. des Hutins, 1232 Confignon
Geneva, Switzerland
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Explore the genetic memory of water