About the Environmental DNA Laboratory
The Environmental DNA Laboratory was established in 2019 through an investment of the UM CORE labs 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.
The eDNA Laboratory falls under UMaine CORE. The Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE) manages a group of facilities and labs at UMaine as shared resources for the campus-wide community and beyond.
The eDNA Laboratory is located at the University of Maine in Murray Hall, Orono, Maine.
Visit our Services webpage for more information about the eDNA testing we offer.
