Making taxonomic expertise digitally accessible.
We have the facilities and the know-how to analyze animal and plant samples as well as fungi and bacteria.
By comparing their DNA to global DNA databases, we can record their biodiversity and make it digitally accessible.
Our motivation is to preserve biodiversity. In collaboration with our customers and project partners, we want to promote environmentally friendly use of natural areas.
Fields of Application
DNA Barcoding -
Single Sample Analysis
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DNA barcoding can uniquely identify most animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms.
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The precise identification of pests is one of the classic applications of DNA barcoding. With the help of our method, pests can be clearly identified at any stage of their development so that targeted measures can be implemented to protect and preserve affected plants or trees. Likewise, unnecessary measures can be avoided if the insects are harmless.
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The genetic analysis of food provides information about its composition and authenticity and can thus play an important role in consumer protection.
DNA Metabarcoding - Analysis of Mixed Samples
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Recording species diversity over spatiotemporal time helps to understand the effects of environmental change on biodiversity. DNA metabarcoding offers the possibility to identify diverse environmental samples fast and distinctly.
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Soil samples from agricultural and forestry land are used to record the composition of bacteria and fungi in the soil and thereby assess soil quality. This knowledge can help ensure soil health and safeguard yields in the long term.
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With the help of DNA metabarcoding, we can analyze the stomach and intestinal contents of animals. This provides information on what animals feed on at different stages of their lives and over the course of the year. In the agricultural and forestry context, knowledge of the food webs of species enables the targeted introduction of beneficial organisms.
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Often, animals cannot be observed directly, but only their residues such as feces can be found. DNA metabarcoding allows animals to be identified without having to capture them. Fecal samples contain DNA from both the animals and their prey. Metabarcoding helps to explore distribution, local diversity, as well as questions about species monitoring, prey analysis, and changes in the food web.
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DNA metabarcoding can detect parasitoids at any stage of the host (egg, larva or pupa). Rapid and reliable results obtained through DNA metabarcoding can be critical to better protect and promote these important regulatory species in diverse ecosystems. In addition, our technology can be used to monitor parasitization rates to make rapid decisions about ecological status and possible biological control measures.
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DNA metabarcoding is used in the analysis of pollen samples. This technique allows the precise identification of the plant species from which the pollen originates. By aligning genetic marker sequences, it is possible to determine which plants are present in a given environment and to track changes in their distribution over time. This method is used both to analyze the composition of honey varieties and to monitor pollination performance in agriculture.
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DNA metabarcoding is a powerful method for identifying fungal and bacterial pathogens in soil and on plants. By analyzing DNA fragments, we can detect pathogens early, both before they damage plants and when the first symptoms appear. In addition, the method enables the identification of beneficial microorganisms that act as natural enemies of pests. This broad scope supports agriculture in accurately monitoring health threats to plants and promotes sustainable pest control.
How we work
DNA Barcoding Service
The name of the analysis method is inspired by the labeling of products using barcodes, as is familiar from the supermarket. However, the term does not refer to the categorization of animals or plants by means of codes, but rather to the unique sequence of certain base pairs within a gene segment. The specific sequence of base pairs is also known as a marker, which can be used to uniquely identify animals, plants, bacteria or even fungi. After the relevant gene segments have been amplified in the laboratory, the samples are compared with global reference databases. In this way, similarities and matches with existing barcode sequences can be determined and organisms can be clearly identified.
Traditionally, species determinations are performed by specially trained taxonomists. However, this form of analysis has some limitations. In addition to the time-consuming nature of manual determination, the knowledge of experts is usually limited to specific groups with a geographic focus. Accordingly, the advantages of DNA barcoding lie primarily in the digital accessibility of comprehensive taxonomic expertise.
DNA Metabarcoding Service
While DNA barcoding aims at the specific determination of individual species or organisms, DNA metabarcoding is used to analyze mixed samples. Mixed samples are samples that contain a variety of different DNA sources. Using DNA metabarcoding, all genetic reference sections can be recorded and evaluated in a single analysis step. This allows, for example, the simultaneous determination of different species of insects, plants, fungi or microorganisms.
Thus, the method enables the detection of a large part of biodiversity, making it an increasingly central tool for species identification in the context of biodiversity analyses. With the help of DNA metabarcoding, all species represented in a habitat can be recorded and thus the composition of identified species communities and flagship species of the respective ecosystem can be analyzed. Repeated sampling can provide further information on the development of individual populations.
Data Analysis and Processing
Beyond the analysis of samples in the laboratory, we offer our customers extensive support in the evaluation and processing of acquired species lists. Our bioinformatics enables a dynamic comparison of the collected data with various global reference databases, whereby the majority of detected DNA sources can be clearly identified. In addition, the endangerment status of a species or its distribution range can be mapped by the comparison. We aim to present the complex relationships within their data sets to our customers in an understandable and multidimensional way. To this end, we also provide support in the interpretation of the collected data and create a sound knowledge base for communication with decision-makers and external stakeholders.
Smart Monitoring & Nature KPIs
Depending on the respective question, we apply machine learning (ML) to identify patterns within the data sets. In this way, correlations and interactions between species occurrences can be identified and statements made about the health of an ecosystem.
Our smart monitoring is used to capture environmental health over spatiotemporal cycles. Environmental health is captured by analyzing various nature performance indicators. These indicators, also known as Nature Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), are characteristic values that can be used to evaluate the performance or condition of our natural environment. In addition to the location and time of sampling, other factors such as habitat type play an important role in the interpretation of species lists. Through repeated sampling, Smart Monitoring enables, among other things, the evaluation of agricultural and forestry management types by analyzing parameters such as the diversity of pollinators, regulative parasitoids, beneficial insects, but also pests on farmland or the composition of microorganisms and fungi in the soil. This knowledge can also be used by our clients and project partners to design long-term strategies to safeguard biodiversity. To find out how a Smart Monitoring project works in practice, click here.
