DNA from thin air: a new way to detect rare wildlife in hostile environments

Discovery that traces of genetic material are all around us opens a non-invasive way to boost biodiversityDNA is in the air – literally. It is wafted around by all the Earth’s creatures, and now scientists have found a way to detect these invisible traces of genetic material so they can identify the animals that released them.The discovery – made independently by British and Danish research groups earlier this year – opens up a powerful way to pinpoint the presence of rare wildlife in deserts, rainforests and other hostile environments.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Genetics Biology Science UK news University of York Denmark Europe Higher education World news Animals Source Type: news