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eDNA - The Power of a Forensic Ecology Laboratory at Your Fingertips

SureScreen Scientifics specialise in the analysis of ecological samples. We provide a diverse range of laboratory services to the ecological industries, including forensic ecology eDNA-based species detection from environmental samples and molecular species identification and sexing. We also have extensive expertise in eDNA assay design.

Great Crested Newt eDNA


SureScreen Scientifics is one of the UK’s leading great crested newt eDNA service providers.

We’re proud to say we have again scored 100% (10/10) on the latest proficiency test (2023).

eDNA-based surveys of great crested newts are nationally recognized as an approved methodology for ecological impact assessments for the planning and development sector.

For more information on GCN, click here.

Great Crested Newt eDNA

Increasing the sustainability of eDNA


Have any out of date GCN eDNA sampling kits lying around? Don’t throw them away – you can upgrade them by purchasing a refill kit.

Each year we see around 20% of purchased kits go to waste, i.e. surplus to requirement and not returned to our lab for analysis. We wanted to do something about this so we have created a GCN refill kit to help save 100’s of kgs of waste a year.

Increasing the sustainability of eDNA

Our Services

From crayfish eDNA to bird sexing, find out more about our molecular laboratory services below

Popular eDNA Targets

  • Great crested newt

  • White-clawed crayfish

  • Signal crayfish

  • Common carp

  • Crayfish plague

  • Freshwater pearl mussel

  • European eel

  • Sea lamprey

  • Brown (sea) trout

  • Atlantic salmon

  • Chytrid fungus

  • Smooth newt

Click here to see our full list of eDNA target species

How can we help?

Online Shop


Wether you are looking to test an environmental DNA sample for GCN, European eel or chytrid fungus or test a biological sample for species of origin, SureScreen Scientifics offers an array of easy-to-use sample collection kits and tools to get you started with your project.

Visit our online shop to purchase your sample collection kits now.

Online Shop

Experts in eDNA Assay Design


We have a comprehensive list of species which we can now detect using DNA-based molecular approaches from the identification of bats and other species from biological samples using DNA barcoding approaches, to the detection of crayfish, freshwater pearl mussels and Atlantic salmon from water using qPCR-based eDNA presence/absence surveys. 

Can’t see your species listed here? Let our in-house team of molecular biologists help and design an assay for any target species.

We have experience in designing, developing and validating a wide range of assays for species including white-clawed crayfish, marbled crayfish, freshwater pearl mussels and demon shrimp.

Experts in eDNA Assay Design
Microscope

Stay Updated

eDNA Survey Seasons

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Sub-optimal survey period =

Great Crested Newt

Results for GCN eDNA surveys are only accepted by Natural England if the samples are collected between mid-April and late-June, however, we can analyse samples taken all year round for other applications.

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Bat Dropping Identification

Although bat activity levels vary over a 12-month period, droppings found within roosts often stay in place for a number of months, meaning that if they have not degraded beyond the capabilities of our analysis, we can test the droppings all year round.

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All UK Crayfish & Crayfish Plague

Due to seasonal weather conditions and changes in crayfish activity over the year, sample collection is best suited to the summer months where crayfish activity levels are higher.

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Freshwater Pearl Mussel

Freshwater pearl mussels are present in water throughout the year; however, activity levels drop off over winter. In the summer months, individuals are feeding and reproducing which allows a much greater chance of detecting DNA from the water.

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Smooth Newt

Similar to GCN, adults emerge from hibernation on land from late February, returning to freshwater to breed. By October, most smooth newts will be back on land and preparing to hibernate.

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Demon Shrimp

Overwintering demon shrimp begin feeding in the spring and reproducing in April. With up to 3 generations produced each year, the breeding seasons finish in October and activity levels drop until the next spring.

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Plant Species Detection

Over winter, leaves and shoots of most plants die back, with only the dormant roots remaining as living tissue. Over the spring and summer, leaves, stems and flowers are all viable sources of DNA for testing. Exception: Live roots and evergreen plants are viable all year round.

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Other Species - Biological Samples

Highly species-dependent – check with us before collecting a sample for advice.

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Bird Sexing

Molecular DNA-based method to determine the sex of a bird from a feather or eggshell sample can be carried out all year round.

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