As humans, we don’t live in a bubble. We’re connected to all living things around us, so it only makes sense to better understand the impact humans, animals and the environment have on each other. That’s where Environmental DNA (eDNA) comes in!
This advanced surveillance technique is emerging as a non-invasive and population-level method to better understand how our changing climate is impacting all living things, especially human health. Ontario Genomics is funding two new projects through Genome Canada’s eDNA Surveillance Initiative that gives regional support to better develop more sensitive and accurate detection methods.
One project will help two First Nations communities develop and implement new eDNA/eRNA tools for wastewater and ecological monitoring, while the other will track and correlate environmental and clinical antimicrobial resistance. An ethical and inclusive governance policy framework will be co-created with First Nations communities to ensure privacy protection, confidentiality and data integrity while respecting Indigenous sovereignty.
For more information, contact Laura Riley, Director, Sector Innovation & Programs.
