In a drop of water you can see the fish that are in the lake

– Today it is possible to identify the species of fish, mussels, bacteria and mammals present in a lake or sea areaIn running water by collecting more than a liter of water and then filtered through a filter. DNA molecules from plants and animals stick to the filter and can then be analyzed. This new genetic method is used in both forensic technology and medicine. Therefore, eDNA researchers are sometimes called DNA investigators Michaela HellstromDirector of Research at LifeDNAaquatic.

This method is an effective tool to find out if endangered, rare, shy or harmful plants, animals, fungi, viruses and bacteria are present in a particular place.

The LifeDNAuatic project focused on analyzing eDNA to study fish. Among other things, they mapped the entire species’ compositions in different ecosystems, determined the spawning periods of the majority of different species and tested different methods in order to advise the authorities on the method. eDNA as a tool detects much more species than traditional methods such as trawling or traps. Moreover, harmful species can be detected at an early stage using this method.

– A research team in Scotland received funding in the summer of 2018 to generate public interest in the new biotechnology, and they aimed to find a sea monster in Loch Ness. The researchers discovered many species of fish, and mammals that swam in the lake – and the sea monster was likely huge eels, concluded Mikaela Hellstrom.