DNA-kit for tracking of aquatic biodiversity

DNA research creates new opportunities for monitoring biodiversity. Centre for GeoGenetics at the University of Copenhagen have shown that a wine glass with lake water contains DNA from the entire lake biodiversity. Similar results have recently been obtained with seawater. The project strives to bring these new scientific achievements towards commercial applications. Focus is on the development of a DNA kit for detection of protected species in fresh water and of commercially important fish species in the sea water. Amphi Consult and other companies annually investigate thousands of water samples. It is expected that the new technology can create a whole new market for DNA-based monitoring of biodiversity. Eurofins focuses on large-scale production of analyses and will scale the results and products to the global market. Eurofins will also ensure access to the analysis of food, where the new technology may reveal contents of selected animal species in processed products.