DNAir harnesses airborne environmental DNA for scalable biodiversity monitoring, delivering actionable data for informed conservation and management.
Current Status
We are in the advanced prototype stage, where the semi-autonomous air sampler for collecting airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) has been fully developed by commissioned engineers and is currently being built and tested. We have arrangements with collaborators from ETH and WSL to validate the prototype in field conditions. We have several buyers who declared their interest in purchasing a sampler to test them for their use-cases.
As the company is yet to be incorporated, we have not realised any business development activities, sales, or turnover at this time.
Problem or Opportunity
As humanity grapples with the dual crises of climate change and declining biodiversity, the demand for effective biodiversity monitoring solutions has never been greater - and policymakers and large corporations are increasingly recognizing these threats. With the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework set to hold companies accountable for the biodiversity impacts of their value chains, the demand for scalable biodiversity monitoring is expected to skyrocket. As traditional methods of biodiversity monitoring are not easily scalable, we are in dire need of new solutions.
Solution (product or service)
Biodiversity monitoring through environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as one of the most promising scalable solutions to comprehensively monitor biodiversity across the tree of life.
Our proprietary technology to sample airborne environmental DNA enables automated collection and preservation of multiple airborne samples, dedicated for DNA analysis. The samplers are designed to be installed as fixed units requiring minimal manual intervention - and constitute the building blocks for a global biodiversity monitoring network.
Business model
Our business operates on a threefold model. We market our patented sampler, the sole device tailored for continuous airborne eDNA collection and preservation and operated with our proprietary filter holder. Customers, on a subscription basis, send back sampled filter holders for a comprehensive analysis - from laboratory procedures (initially outsourced) to data analysis. In return, they get fresh filter stacks for uninterrupted sampling. Additionally, we provide consultation, guiding on sampling design and translating data into actionable insights.
