How Do The eDNA Kits Work?

Our environmental DNA (eDNA) kits are designed to allow anyone to capture a comprehensive picture of biodiversity without needing a background in molecular biology. Each kit is a self-contained unit that includes everything your field team needs to collect and preserve a high-quality sample in a single visit.

What is inside the kit

We have removed the need for complex laboratory equipment in the field by integrating scientific-grade components into a portable package. While the specific tools vary depending on whether you are sampling water, soil, or sediment, every kit contains four essential elements.

Collection hardware This includes the primary tools for capturing the sample, such as specialized syringes and filters for water or sterile scoops and containers for soil. These are designed to process large volumes or weights of material to increase the probability of detecting rare species.
Preservation buffers This is a critical chemical solution included in every kit. Once your sample is collected, you apply the buffer to immediately stabilize the DNA. This prevents the biological information from degrading due to heat or light during its journey to our lab.
Contamination control To ensure your data is defensible, each kit contains sterile gloves and collection tools. These items prevent your own DNA or traces from other sites from contaminating the sample, ensuring the results strictly reflect the local environment
Traceable packaging We provide specialized bags and boxes to keep your samples secure. These include unique barcodes that link your physical sample directly to your digital manifest on the Intelligence Platform.

How the sampling process works

The workflow is designed to be simple and standardized, ensuring consistent data quality regardless of who is performing the collection.

Collection Your team uses the hardware provided to capture biological material from the environment. For water, this involves pushing the liquid through a fine filter that traps DNA traces. For soil, it involves taking multiple small sub-samples to create a representative composite.
Stabilization You apply the preservation buffer directly to the sample within the kit. This step is vital as it allows the sample to be stored and shipped at room temperature for up to two weeks without the need for immediate freezing.
Documentation You record the sample details on the digital manifest, noting the location, habitat, and volume sampled. This metadata is what gives the biological findings their strategic context.
Analysis Once the samples reach our laboratory, our scientists extract the DNA and run your chosen tests. We can either look for specific target species or use metabarcoding to identify entire groups of life, such as all fish, mammals, or invertebrates in the area.

Every kit comes with a clear visual guide to ensure the collection is performed correctly every time. By providing all the necessary materials in a pre-verified package, we eliminate the logistical challenge of sourcing lab-grade supplies and ensure your data is ready for the most demanding reporting frameworks.

For more information, visit our kit instructions page.