Miss Kymberly Crockett1, Dr Alejandro Trujillo-Gonzalez1,2, Professor Dianne Gleeson1,2
1EcoDNA Group, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia, 2National eDNA Reference Centre (NeRC), Bruce, Australia
Biography:
Kymberly is a Senior Research Officer at the EcoDNA Group, University of Canberra. She has been with the group since 2021 after completing her Bachelor of Applied Science Honors focused on testing with eDNA techniques at the University of Canberra. In her role, Kymberly applies eDNA and eRNA molecular techniques to biosecurity, research, and conservation-based projects, through species-specific, and metabarcoding testing.
Abstract:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is being increasingly utilised as a targeted detection tool in molecular diagnostics for conservation and biosecurity purposes. As the field grows, standardised testing and reporting guidelines are being developed for comparability across laboratories. Interlaboratory proficiency testing programs can be utilised to assess testing and reporting uniformity and quality assurance. The EcoDNA Group hosts the National eDNA Reference Centre (NeRC) for Australia, and now organises proficiency testing schemes for laboratories performing single-target quantitative PCR testing. The proficiency testing schemes are particularly tailored for eDNA because these samples are typically sourced from matrices of unknown composition, that are frequently degraded, and commonly of low yield and purity. In 2023-2024, nine different laboratories from Australia and New Zealand participated in the NeRC’s proficiency testing scheme, with the aim of detecting trace DNA of Varroa destructor (Anderson & Trueman, 2000). All laboratories received a kit containing 10 blind samples to test, the reagents required for testing, and the standard operating procedure used by the EcoDNA Group to test for this species. Reported results from each of the laboratories were analysed to determine their proficiency or non-proficiency for the detection of the chosen testing species. Eight out of the nine participating laboratories were deemed proficient in the 2023-2024 proficiency testing scheme with an overall average bias of 1.26%.