The use of eDNA as a tool for species detection, biomonitoring and surveillance has been extremely rapid in recent times and has often demonstrated greater sensitivity than traditional methods and with greater efficiency. The promise of eDNA is vast, with many publications extolling the virtues of these approaches and advocating strongly for eDNA as a revolutionary approach for practitioners. However wholescale uptake by government agencies and regulatory authorities still remains scarce, with scepticism being a common response. This is not unlike conservation genetics which has also been a strongly advocated approach for many of the shared efficiencies and power that eDNA has shown. How then can the research community ensure that eDNA lives up to the hype and can be transformational beyond the lab?
This presentation will provide insights in establishing early and enduring relationships with end-users that has been a feature of our eDNA journey, culminating in the establishment of the National eDNA Reference Centre (NRC) within the EcoDNA lab at the University of Canberra. The NRC provides operational support including implementation, training, sampling, testing and confirmatory testing through an Environmental DNA Proficiency Testing Scheme at a national scale and via a collaborative approach involving a network of laboratories. It is through this type of national collaboration with shared protocols and standards that eDNA can become more than just another molecular tool with limited uptake and impact.
Biography:
Dianne is a wildlife geneticist, with 20 +yrs of research experience in the application of DNA technologies for biodiversity conservation outcomes in both New Zealand and Australia. Her career focus has been facilitating the translation of fundamental research into outcomes for end-users. Previously at Manaaki-Whenua Landcare Research NZ, she developed a successful business unit, EcoGene, resulting in a national award for Women in Science Entrepreneurship. Currently, she leads the EcoDNA team at the Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, which is focused on the development eDNA technologies for invasive species, border biosecurity and biodiversity monitoring.