How the hunt for wild species leads to eDNA

Most of us have a hard-enough time looking for our cell phone chargers in the dark. So imagine trying to find something that’s hidden high in building rafters, deep in muddy bogs, or scattered across endless savannahs. And now, imagine the thing you’re looking for has fangs… and sharp claws.

Dr. Kaylee Byers and her wing-woman Dr. Cylita Guy, call-in wildlife conservationist Gabi Fleury to assist in answering, ‘How do you find that which doesn’t want to be found? And should you?’ Globally speaking, does our need to turn over every rock to find vulnerable species really intersect with conservation? Rats, bats, and cheetahs weasel their way into this exciting conversation on how the study of genomics may be the “hopping off point” into a more sustainable future.

Also joining us is world famous DNA scientist, professor and globe-trotting adventurer Dr. Eske Willerslev, sharing the secret weapon he pioneered to find some of the world’s most elusive creatures.

Listen to 'Nice Genes!' wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3QlLVue

Resources: 

1. Dr.Cylita Guy, Science Storyteller and Educator


2. Spot the Species, game


3. Gabi Fleury - Conservationist, technologist, Researcher


4. What is eDNA


5. Dr. Eske Willerslev, DNA Scientist, Professor and Director of University of Copenhagen’s Centre of Excellence GeoGenetics


6. Diverse Plant and Animal Genetic Records from Holocene and Pleistocene Sediments, Science


7. Identifying twice as many species with eDNA, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences


8. Going out for dinner—The consumption of agriculture pests by bats in urban areas


9. Book: Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats: Urban Ecology, Community Science, and How We Share Our Cities

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.