Devon Bryant: Hook, Line and Sequence: A Novel Conducting Polymer System for Selective eDNA Capture & Release

Analysis of eDNA provides a non-invasive and highly sensitive means for analysing the genetic profiles within a given ecosystem, where scientists can gain valuable insights into the biodiversity, distribution, and abundance of species within an ecosystem.The presented project is the creation of a new eDNA capture and release system that allows for the fast and selective retrieval, purification, concentration, and analysis of specific eDNA of interest.

This work is based on a novel EDOT-based conducting polymer series, where EDOT is furnished with thioacetate functional groups. The method of attachment relies on the reduction of these thioacetates to form free thiols, and formation of an electrochemically-reversible disulfide bond between these and a selected thiolated oligonucleotide which is free to hybridise with the complementary eDNA in solution</p>