Dr. David Sharley – Director and Principal Scientist
David Sharley is one of the founding directors at Bio2Lab. He has more than 20 years’ experience as an environmental scientist and has managed and directed a broad variety of multi-disciplinary projects in the environmental and water sectors. He is regarded as a leading expert on issues related to urban pollution and has specialist knowledge in the fields of real-time monitoring, environmental DNA, stormwater pollution and integrated catchment management. David works with industry, government, and the community to develop novel monitoring tools to address the on-going concerns around environmental degradation. Dave is a Victorian Ambassador for the Stormwater Shepherds.
Hi David,
It was great to catch up with you by phone last week. As discussed, are you interested to have me provide some written feedback to you concerning the potential market for on-site and relatively inexpensive platypus eDNA sampling? Also, if you could provide a ballpark figure for the amount of up-front investment that’s likely to be required to get such a system up and running, I may be able to suggest some groups who might be in a position to contribute.
All the best, Melody
Melody Serena (Conservation Biologist)
Australian Platypus Conservancy
PO Box 115
Campbells Creek VIC 3451
Tel: (03) 5416 1478 or 0419 595 939
platypus.apc@westnet.com.au
Website: http://www.platypus.asn.au
Facebook: Australian Platypus Conservancy (Official)
Hi Melody, Sorry for the late reply. We are interested in having feedback from yourself on the utility of on-site and cost-effective eDNA sampling. Since speaking to you, I have been investigating ways we can get the eDNA assay in development. I have a PhD student looking into it now. However, for a laboratory validated assay to be developed commercially (faster) it would be $14-18,000 depending on information already known. Depending on how comprehensive, Field validation would be around 20,000-$45,000. However, this would be a collaborative approach between Bio2lab and another organisation such as the Platypus Conservancy.