S5.24: Bats, boats and buried bodies: the hidden power of environmental DNA
In this episode we’re testing the air for tigers and digging up dead bodies as we explore the exciting new field of environmental DNA. Dr Sally Le Page chats with Prof. Elizabeth Clare about sampling the DNA of rare species from the air, and Dr Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser and Charles Konsitzke tells us about their project using eDNA to recover the missing bodies of fallen service personnel.
What if you could tell what animals had passed through an area without ever having to see the animal? Or figure out whether a shipwreck at the bottom of a dark and murky ocean contained human remains buried in the mud? These are very real possibilities thanks to advances in the field of environmental DNA, or eDNA for short.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Clare
Elizabeth Clare: bats, cats and naked mole rats
One of the pioneers in the field of environmental DNA is Professor Elizabeth Clare at York University, Toronto Ontario. Her lab has been developing techniques for sucking eDNA out of the air in zoos, prairies and bat roosts for use in conservation.
Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser: Digging up DNA from the depths
The Missing in Action Recovery and Identification Project is a collaborative effort spanning multiple disciplines of genetics, marine biology and archaeology, hoping to use eDNA to locate the remains of military service personnel. Dr Sally Le Page sits down with Dr Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser, a marine biologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and one of the leads on this project to find out more.
Image courtesy of Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser
Image courtesy of Charles Konsitzke
Charles Konsitzke: using eDNA to find missing people
Charles Konsitzke is another lead on the Missing in Action Recovery and Identification Project, and he told Sally Le Page about how human eDNA is currently being used to locate the bodies of missing people around the world.
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This episode of Genetics Unzipped was written and presented by me, Sally Le Page. It is produced by First Create the Media for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies dedicated to promoting research, training, teaching and public engagement in all areas of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk. Our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, the logo was designed by James Mayall, and audio production was by Emma Werner. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
