Evaluation and adaptation of a mobile eDNA system to detect human enteric viruses in water**

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Precision Biomonitoring Inc. (PBI) provides point of need environmental DNA (eDNA) tools and services for the identification of invasive, keystone and at-risk species in aquatic and other systems. They have an interest in expanding their available qPCR-based tests to include human pathogens in the environment. The Habash research group, at the University of Guelph, has developed a multiplex reverse transcriptase - quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay that can simultaneously detect the three most prevalent human enteric viruses that cause the greatest numbers of acute gastroenteritis in Canada. The PBI protocol involves a mobile aquatic sampler, a rapid, instrumentless DNA/RNA extraction kit and mobile PCR apparatus. This short term project will focus on validating and optimizing the filtration media and extraction of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) for detecting enteric viruses, the most critical steps for this assay. The benefits derived from this project will be access to mobile point-of-need eDNA tools and tests can enable rapid deployment and determination of water quality in remote communities where this critical information or testing is lacking, including indigenous and rural communities. The social and economic benefits will be realized through improved water quality and the associated health benefits.****