How the WildTechDNA kit aids in monitoring the illegal trade in big cat products

Border areas and markets on the Thai/Myanmar border

Problem

Customs officers can’t identify the species origin of a bone sample at the point of collection. The time and cost of sending samples to a lab in Bangkok for analysis are too great. As a result, many illegal products pass through the border without detection.

Goal

Customs officers need a quick and inexpensive way to identify, in real-time, goods derived from big cat species (Panthera).
WildTechDNA kit
Step 1
N
Prep the sample

Customs or law enforcement officers place a tiny piece of animal material into the first solution for a few minutes then filtered.

  • DNA is extracted, separated and held in solution.
Step 2
N
AMPLIFY THE DNA

A tiny drop from the previous step is mixed in an amplification solution.

  • The extracted DNA from the animal sample is mixed with reagents to initiate an isothermal amplification reaction using specific primer sets.  This creates billions of copies of specific genetic marker.
Step 3
N
Read the result

After a very short time the customs officer adds a drop to a lateral flow strip and within 30 seconds the result shows whether the sample is from the target species or not.  A further quick test can determine the sex of the animal.

  • If the target species DNA is present then the specific markers are amplified in the previous step and the lateral flow strip captures the amplified product and shows a positive result.

The Result

Whether its illegally traded Big Cat products, imported European Eel for BBQ’s or sushi or any other animal contraband, customs officers seize the illegal goods and use the testing evidence to prepare the case against the traffickers.  As a result, law enforcement can work more quickly, efficiently disrupting & preventing the trade.

Determine the migration route of caribou
(a threatened species in Canada) to ensure Oil Sands operations do not interfere.

Northern British Columbia and Alberta.

Problem

Researchers cannot identify faecal samples quickly in the field and laboratory analysis is too expensive and too slow to support on-the-spot management decisions.

Goal

Industry researchers need a quick and inexpensive way to detect caribou in the field from faecal samples.

WildTechDNA kit
Step 1
N
Prep the sample

The researcher places a faecal sample in a solution for a short period of time.

  • The cells are opened up and the DNA is freed.
Step 2
N
Place the sample in the test zone

They place a few drops of the solution onto the paper test zone.

  • The DNA from the sample is immobilized onto the paper surface. The dried reagents that have been printed onto the paper (through laminar flow) move to the DNA and, if the DNA is from the target species, it initiates an amplification reaction, causing the DNA to become concentrated.
Step 3
N
Read the result

After one minute, the researcher checks the device for a simple colour change. A change of colour tells them their sample is from caribou.

  • If the DNA amplifies, it will spark a chemical reaction, producing a simple colour change.

The Result

Making on the spot management decisions means stakeholders can better assess the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessments. With simple and inexpensive testing, governments and other organisations in developing countries – where access to lab testing is limited – will be able to include species genetic field testing in their EIAs.

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