Collection 

Environmental DNA and RNA

Submission status
Closed
Submission deadline

As organisms interact with their surroundings, they shed cellular material (e.g., excrement, mucous, skin cells) containing detailed genetic information. Recent advancements in sequencing technology allow scientists to analyse DNA and RNA collected from environmental samples (eDNA/eRNA), such as soil, sediments, water, and even air. Applying eDNA/eRNA methods can give researchers a far more detailed picture of a community, without the need for sampling or sighting individual organisms. eDNA and eRNA have been successfully used for detection of rare or cryptic taxa, to monitor the presence of invasive species, provide insights into ecosystem and organism health, and even to reconstruct past environments.

This Collection aims to bring together studies detailing recent developments in environmental DNA and RNA, from methodological and technological advancements to applied and interdisciplinary research.

close up of a scientist's river drawing water into a research flask from a stream

Editors

Collections articles undergo Scientific Reports' standard peer review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. This includes the journal’s policy on competing interests. The Guest Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Guest Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.

This Collection has not been supported by sponsorship.