The overall objective is to demonstrate the potential of targeted eDNA detection as surveillance and biosecurity tool both in nature and aquaculture with special emphasis on optimized methods for the detection of elusive targets (low-prevalent disease agents, rare species, early invasions) by examining two highly different host-pathogen complexes.
Sub-goals
- Optimize water sampling strategies and DNA capture methods for elusive targets, and explore the advantages of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for aquatic eDNA monitoring
- Apply eDNA methodology for host-pathogen systems under experimental and natural conditions using freshwater crayfish-A. astaci and Salmon-G. salaris as models
- Analyse the nature of eDNA from various sources and attempt to quantify hosts and/or pathogens through the amount of eDNA emitted
- Compare the potential of and challenges with eDNA monitoring, i.e. the ability to detect or quantify, of the various target organisms in light of organism biology (size, life cycle, reproductive strategy, behaviour etc)
