Advanced environmental applications

We are exploring emerging applications of genomics to environmental science.

Our research aims to develop advanced environmental tools that will:

  • improve our ability to assess and monitor our biodiversity (Biodiversity assessment)
  • improve ecosystem function (Ecosystem function)
  • measure plant and animal stress and understand their adaptive responses (Stress and adaptation)
  • utilise the novel functions that organisms perform and make use of them to restore threatened ecosystems (Intervention and restoration).

Biodiversity assessment

A small seal on the rocks looking at a larger seal with its head up out of the water close by.

Close-Kin Mark-Recapture: widening the scope with new genomics

The CSIRO Stopwatch: A Pan-Animal Epigenetic Clock

Novel eDNA Collection Technology Enabling Bio-monitoring and Estimation of Species Abundance

Pollen DNA Metabarcoding

A whale shark swimming

DNA Ageing: Rapid epigenetic age estimation for animals

Three woman on sea ice at the ocean's edge in Antarctica. Two are kneeling while holding a green rope that is going into the ocean and the third is standing.

What bug is that? Mobile DNA sequencing in your pocket

Estimating species’ rank abundance by improving eDNA techniques

Reconstructing Fisheries Catch using eDNA

An underwater picture of a man in scuba diving equipment looking directly at a sea lion which is looking back at him.

Environmental DNA in practice: a roadmap for integrating eDNA in Australian marine park monitoring

Ecosystem function

Measuring and managing the health of estuaries and coasts through microbial DNA

Australian Microbiome Initiative

Stress and adaptation

Estimating the adaptive capacity of plant species with transcriptome and phenotypic traits

Red and orange banksia flower on a branch surrounded by leaves.

Museum Epigenomics

The CSIRO Stopwatch: A Pan-Animal Epigenetic Clock

A whale shark swimming

DNA Ageing: Rapid epigenetic age estimation for animals

Intervention and restoration

Restoring seagrass meadows with the help of microbes

Hundreds of dead fish, belly side up onthe edge of the Darling River.

Bio-prospecting for natural biosensors that detect pollution