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Environmental DNA (eDNA)

By Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory

Environmental DNA is DNA that is shed into the environment from a live organism that can be used to identify the presence of the organism.

Environmental DNA_thermocycler_amgb
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Sloughed tissue (ie skin or mucus cells), gametes, excreta, and shell material can all be used as eDNA targets. eDNA studies can help with rare species detection, invasive species tracking, and can also be used to assess the health of streams and wetlands.

  • The OWML has the ability to analyze for eDNA from the following organisms: Grass Carp, Black Carp, Silver Carp, Bighead Carp, Northern Riffleshell mussels, Kidneyshell mussels, M. pulchellum mayflies, and C. obscura caddisflies.
  • The OWML can also work with cooperators to develop other species of interest.