Dr Adam Miller1, Associate Professor Craig Sherman1
1Deakin University, Warrnambool, Australia
Environmental DNA (eDNA) technologies have revolutionised the field of wildlife monitoring over the last decade. Like many environmental genetics labs around the world, the EcoGenetics Lab at Deakin University has been quick to adopt these technologies, a transition which has a transformative impact on our research program. In this presentation I will give an overview of eDNA applications in our laboratory including targeted amplicon, DNA metabarcoding and shotgun genomic sequencing approaches and the diversity of research themes that these applications currently feed into. Following the initial challenges of building capacity in these areas our team is currently investing in a large number aquatic and terrestrial focussed eDNA research programs relating to wildlife conservation, fisheries management, biosecurity, forensics, and stress and adaptation research. I will show case some of our current programs and share our story including challenges, opportunities, and future direction for eDNA research in our lab. Finally, I will visit some of major hurdles that we believe need to be overcome to maximise the success and uptake of future eDNA programs, including the need for communal and industry standard guidelines and resources.
Biography:
Adam Miller is a senior lecturer and ecological geneticist affiliated with the Centre for Integrative Ecology at Deakin University. Adam’s research program focuses on addressing fundamental questions about species ecology and evolution and resilience to environmental change, and working with industry and government agencies to assist the management of threatened, commercially important, and pest species. He has a particularly keen interest in environmental stress and adaptation research, drawing on genetic and quantitative experimental methods to assess species evolutionary trajectories and vulnerabilities to environmental change, providing a basis for adaptive management that enhances biodiversity outcomes in changing environments. Adam works on a variety of terrestrial, aquatic and alpine model systems.