Airborne environmental DNA as a new applied tool for industry, research and regulatory approaches

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Monitoring biodiversity is a commercially important business estimated at $10 billion annually. Demand includes government regulatory monitoring and sectors such as oil and gas, natural resource management, financial and supply chain interests and activities such as assessing the success of bio-remediation. Because measurement of biodiversity is challenging researchers and companies are increasingly incorporating DNA-based tools to refine these measurements.A DNA sample is normally collected directly from an individual, as a blood sample, piece of tissue or perhaps a cheek swab. However, all organisms also leave environmental (e)DNA behind like footprints. Collecting this material has become particularly useful in aquatic systems as a non-invasive method of biomonitoring. The Clare Lab recently developed a prototype sampling device and demonstrated that eDNA can be filtered directly out of air samples. This is a tremendous new tool to monitor terrestrial biodiversity. NatureMetrics is the world's largest eDNA analytical company with headquarters in the UK and NatureMetrics North America located in Guelph Ontario. In this proposal, NatureMetrics North America and the Clare Lab are teaming up to develop air-based sampling as a new commercial offering. They will use the prototype developed by the Clare Lab and a specialised field location to validate a sampling strategy to accurately assess animal communities e.g., in roosts and caves. Validation will include the timing and deployment of sampling devices and modeling species recovery. Success will allow NatureMetrics North American to become the first company in the world providing eDNA air sampling as a commercial service.