eDNA: How a method to detect endangered wildlife is now being used to fight COVID-19

Apr 28, 2021

eDNA was originally used to monitor endangered species. Image: David Duffy

Jessica Alice Farrell

PhD Candidate in Biology, University of Florida

Liam Whitmore

PhD Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick

David Duffy

Assistant Professor of Wildlife Disease Genomics, University of Florida

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Scientists now can detect DNA traces from many different environments.

The process of eDNA. Image: Liam Whitmore, University of Limerick,

Routine imaging of a juvenile green sea turtle patient afflicted with virus-triggered fibropapillomatosis at the Florida Whitney Sea Turtle Hospital.

eDNA can be used to detect viruses and other diseases that can affect biological life. Image: Devon Rollinson-Ramia

Collecting sewage samples to test for SARS-CoV-2 at Utah State University in September 2020.

Collecting sewage samples to test for SARS-CoV-2 at Utah State University. Image: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

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