Welcome to the University of Maine CORE eDNA Service Center
About Us
The Environmental DNA Laboratory was established in 2019 through an investment of the Office of the Vice President of Research and Dean of the Graduate School to establish the Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE) program and contributions to major equipment from the NSF EPSCoR RII Track 1 Program (Grant # 11A-1849227).
Environmental DNA (or eDNA) is simply genetic material that is present and detectable in environmental sources, such as water, soil or air. It comes from shed cells or decomposition products of larger organisms, like fish or plants, or can be from whole microorganisms like plankton and bacteria. Because DNA is an almost universal code for life, eDNA detection and quantification can be used to understand what organisms currently or previously occupied a given environment, providing a power tool to monitor, study, and manage biodiversity. We provide eDNA services for academic, government, non-governmental, industry and citizen group organizations.
Facility Information
The UMaine CORE eDNA Service Center Lab offers processing and testing of environmental DNA samples, assay development, field surveys and training services. The equipment housed in the center allows users to receive fluorescence-based qPCR analyses, for quantifying DNA concentration and abundances, and plate preparation.
| CORE Environmental DNA Contact: Alexandra J. Sacco, PhD. CORE Genetics Facilities Manager Phone: 207.581.2575 Email: alexandra.j.sacco@maine.edu edna.core@maine.edu | When shipping samples, please ship samples to: CORE Environmental DNA Lab Attn: Alexandra Sacco University of Maine 5751 Murray Hall Rm 223 Orono, Me 04469 | |
| CORE Director: Megan Tardif Phone: 207-581-1225 email: megan.tardif@maine.edu | CORE Fiscal Officer: Julie Rutherford Phone: 207-581-1118 email: julie.rutherford@maine.edu | CORE Facilities Manager: Michael Call Phone: email: michael.call@maine.edu |
Technical Services
- Survey design consultation
- Sample filtration
- DNA extraction
- Sample collection
- Inhibition clean-up
- Sample testing
- Starting copy number calculation
- Results summary with quality controls
- Survey interpretation and analysis consulting
- Training
Service requests can be initiated via the iLab Platform. Click the button below to get started.
Environmental DNA Facility Service Rates
Rates are subject to change. Please contact the lab for the most up-to-date information and quotes.