Through research, we will solve two major scientific challenges. Ones that have acted as roadblocks to the engineering of low-cost, in-field DNA testing devices.

• First, it is difficult and time-consuming to isolate target DNA from biological samples because the process requires multiple chemical, physical and thermal steps.
• Second, it is difficult to detect a small amount of target DNA in a sample containing a large amount of background material.

Our paper-based hand-held device will operate much like a pregnancy test, performing three functions in one: 

1. Capturing the DNA from a variety of genetic sources (e.g feces, bone, skin etc.)
2. Producing readable copies of the DNA, and
3. Detecting the target species DNA through a simple colour change

WildTechDNA – in partnership with McMaster University and the University of Calgary and grant-funded by the Canadian Government (NSERC), Alberta Innovates and the Canadian Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) – is beginning laboratory research with a focus on caribou fecal detection.

Caribou are a migratory species highly threatened in Canada and are therefore of considerable importance to both government and industry. Our methodology builds upon the foundational work of Dr Yingfu Li of McMaster University, who developed a paper-based DNA biosensor to detect bacteria in food and water samples.

WildTechDNA is building a partnership model for funding new conservation technology. We’re bringing together the science, conservation, business and public sector communities to scale the opportunity provided by our caribou research to include the big cats.

We currently have in-kind partnership agreements in place with the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Wildlife Conservation Society. But we would benefit greatly in having the assistance of the snow leopard range countries through GSLEP.

With your support, we can ensure the technology gets to where it is most needed, for the conservation of this species.

Beyond this, our goal and intention is to extend the technology to multiple species, applications and countries across the globe for conservation purposes.