What is eDNA method standardisation and why do we need it?

By

Theroux, Susanna
Sepulveda, Adam J.
Abbott, Cathryn L.
Gold, Zachary
Watts, Alison W.
Hunter, Margaret E.
Klymus, Katy E.
Hirsch, Shana Lee
Craine, Joseph M.
Jones, Devin N.
Brown, Rachel J.
Steele, Joshua A.
Takahashi, Miwa
Noble, Rachel T.
Darling, John A.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-2-13

Original Publication

Metabarcoding and metagenomics

Volume

9

Pages

1--16

Subjects

environmental DNA , lab accreditation , Management , methods , Standardisation

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2017-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.9.132076

 

Abstract

The rapid advancement of environmental DNA (eDNA) science in the past two decades has inspired a concomitant growth in the development of eDNA sampling and analytical methods. However, these methods are often developed by individual laboratories or institutions, which can isolate protocols within programmes, agencies or regions and prevent the beneficial exchange of data and ideas. Recent efforts to advance national and international coordination have resulted in a groundswell of standardisation efforts, but there is still considerable confusion around the role of formal standards for regulatory or research applications. With this commentary, we hope to provide clarity on the terminology used in standardisation discussions, including the differences between formal standards and best practice guidelines. Additionally, we discuss how eDNA method choice may be informed by environmental management scenarios and review examples of formal eDNA method standards being used to inform management action. The eDNA community now has an opportunity to develop a roadmap for method development to help close standardisation gaps, advance eDNA method adoption and accelerate our ability to monitor biological life at the scales our current environmental challenges demand.