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Barcoding Kits

While our standard kits capture DNA from the wider environment, barcoding kits are designed to collect DNA directly from an individual organism. This targeted approach creates a clear link between a physical specimen and its unique genetic signature. Barcoding kits are particularly valuable in regions where public DNA databases are incomplete, helping to close critical data gaps and increase the precision of your results.

Improving identification accuracy

The primary use of a barcoding kit is to swab an individual fish to sequence its DNA. This process creates a local reference sequence that improves the performance of your broader monitoring project.

  • Fill data gaps Many geographical regions lack adequate reference sequences in public databases. By barcoding local fish, you provide the library needed to identify those same species when they appear in your wider water samples.

  • Species-level precision Adding local sequences significantly increases the number of species-level identifications we can provide for your project.

  • Cross-assay compatibility The barcodes we generate span both our Fish and Vertebrate tests. This means a single local reference can be used to improve results across multiple types of analysis.

How the process works

Unlike our automated biodiversity discovery, the barcoding process requires a partnership between your field team and our laboratory.

  • Initial identification You provide the physical identification of the fish species at the time of swabbing.

  • DNA sequencing We sequence the swabbed DNA to create a high-quality genetic profile for that specific species.

  • Database integration This new local reference is then used to cross-reference the environmental DNA found in your water samples, turning "unknown" sequences into confirmed species detections.

Using barcoding kits is a proactive way to de-risk your project in frontier regions. By building a custom reference library, you ensure that your biodiversity reporting is based on localized, verified reality rather than generic global estimates. This level of detail is particularly valuable for identifying endemic or rare species that might otherwise go undetected.