{"id":12646,"date":"2025-11-05T12:48:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T11:48:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxusmedioambiente.com\/project-invadn-industrial-research-for-the-validation-of-the-use-of-environmental-dna-based-techniques-for-the-detection-of-aquatic-invasive-species\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T12:49:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T11:49:02","slug":"project-invadn-industrial-research-for-the-validation-of-the-use-of-environmental-dna-based-techniques-for-the-detection-of-aquatic-invasive-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taxusmedioambiente.com\/en\/project-invadn-industrial-research-for-the-validation-of-the-use-of-environmental-dna-based-techniques-for-the-detection-of-aquatic-invasive-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Project: invADN – Industrial research for the validation of the use of environmental DNA-based techniques for the detection of aquatic invasive species."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Location<\/strong>: Iberian Peninsula<\/p>

Dates<\/strong>: 2023 – 2026<\/p>

Area<\/strong>: Genetics and Environmental Laboratory Area<\/p>

The invADN project<\/strong> aims to validate in a real environment the use of molecular techniques based on environmental DNA<\/a> for the early detection of invasive alien species <\/strong>(IAS) in aquatic ecosystems. This initiative responds to the need for effective, specific and non-invasive tools to act before significant ecological or economic damage occurs. <\/p>

In collaboration with the University of Oviedo and with the support of the Sekuens Agency, TAXUS MEDIO AMBIENTE is working on the design of standardized protocols<\/strong> that facilitate the integration of these methodologies in conservation and environmental management strategies in the national territory.<\/p>

What have been the main challenges of the project?<\/h4>


Invasive alien species are one of the main threats to biodiversity<\/strong> and ecosystem services on a global scale. In the case of aquatic ecosystems<\/strong>, traditional detection methods – based on visual surveys or macroinvertebrate sampling – have important limitations: they are costly, slow, not very sensitive in early stages of invasion and carry the risk of dispersal between areas. <\/p>

The central challenge of the project is to bridge the current gap between the scientific development of genetic detection techniques and their practical application in the field.<\/strong> This implies not only advancing molecular precision, but also translating that knowledge into operational, adaptable and accessible tools for different sectors affected by IAS.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What did we do from TAXUS MEDIO AMBIENTE?<\/h4>


From the area of Genetics and Environmental Laboratory<\/a> of TAXUS, primers and specific fluorescent probes were developed and validated for the detection of five invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula by means of environmental DNA analysis (eDNA). The target species were: <\/p>