Environmental DNA (eDNA)
What Is Environmental DNA (eDNA)?
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing is a powerful approach for detecting and monitoring organisms by analyzing trace DNA they leave behind in the environment. Instead of capturing or directly observing organisms, eDNA is extracted from water, soil, air, sediment, or other environmental samples where biological material has been shed.
This DNA—originating from cells, excretions, or decaying material—contains genetic signatures that can be amplified or sequenced to identify species presence, biodiversity, and ecological dynamics.
AUGenomics uses high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) and optimized extraction workflows to profile eDNA with high sensitivity and accuracy, enabling detection of organisms across entire ecosystems, including those that are rare, elusive, or otherwise difficult to sample.
Advantages of eDNA
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Non-Invasive Biodiversity Monitoring: Detects species without the need for physical capture or visual identification.
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Broad Organism Detection: Profiles bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals from a single environmental sample.
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High Sensitivity: Detects rare or low-abundance species that traditional methods may miss.
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Flexible Assays: Supports amplicon sequencing (e.g., 16S, ITS, COI) and shotgun metagenomics for comprehensive analysis.
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Customizable Panels: Option to target specific taxonomic groups or environmental markers.
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Minimal Sampling Impact: Ideal for fragile or protected habitats where invasive sampling is not possible.
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Advanced Bioinformatics: Provides species identification, diversity metrics, and ecological analyses.
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Cross-Environment Capability: Supports water, soil, air, and sediment samples from a wide range of ecosystems.
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Scalable Projects: Suitable for single-site studies or large-scale environmental monitoring programs.
Environmental DNA sequencing is rapidly transforming ecology, conservation biology, and environmental monitoring. Applications include:
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Biodiversity Surveys: Assessing species richness in aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial environments.
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Conservation Monitoring: Detecting endangered or invasive species to guide conservation strategies.
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Marine & Freshwater Ecology: Profiling fish, plankton, and microbial diversity in oceans, rivers, and lakes.
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Wildlife Management: Monitoring populations without physical trapping or observation.
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Invasive Species Detection: Identifying non-native species at early stages to prevent ecosystem disruption.
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Agricultural Research: Assessing microbial and pest communities in agricultural soils.
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Industrial Impact Studies: Evaluating how development, pollution, or restoration efforts impact ecosystems.
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Pathogen Surveillance: Detecting environmental reservoirs of pathogens in water or soil.
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Climate Change Studies: Tracking shifts in species distributions and community dynamics over time.
What is eDNA Used For?
eDNA with AUGenomics
Sample Submission
Minimum 50 mL water, 10 g soil, or equivalent environmental material. Samples should be filtered, preserved in ethanol or frozen immediately, and kept at –20°C or colder.
Please refer to our Shipping Guidelines for project-specific guidance.
Turnaround Time
Typical turnaround for eDNA biodiversity assessment is 14–18 business days from sample receipt. Expedited options are available depending on project scope and sequencing depth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does this replace traditional biodiversity surveys?
A: Not entirely. eDNA complements field surveys by expanding detection coverage, particularly for elusive or low-abundance species.
Q: How should I collect and store eDNA samples?
A: Use sterile containers, avoid contamination, and freeze samples or preserve them in ethanol immediately after collection.
Q: What types of samples can be analyzed for eDNA?
A: We accept water, soil, sediment, air filters, and other environmental matrices where DNA traces are present.
Q: How sensitive is eDNA sequencing?
A: Our workflows detect species from trace amounts of DNA, often at concentrations too low for traditional surveys.
Q: Can eDNA identify species at the individual level?
A: eDNA typically identifies species or population-level presence but does not resolve individual organisms.
Q: Which sequencing methods do you use for eDNA?
A: We offer both amplicon-based approaches (e.g., 16S, ITS, COI) for targeted taxonomic profiling and shotgun metagenomics for comprehensive community and functional analysis.
Got more questions? Contact our team and get a free consultation anytime. info@augenomics.com
Glossary of Terms
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eDNA: DNA shed by organisms into their environment
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Biodiversity: The variety of life forms in a specific ecosystem or region
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Primer: A short sequence used to initiate DNA amplification during PCR
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Non-invasive monitoring: Surveying species presence without direct interference
