DNA metabarcoding for assessing biodiversity – Melissa Carew & Richard Campbell

Entomologist and geneticist, Melissa Carew is a pioneer in the development of DNA tools needed to monitor invertebrate biodiversity in Australia and is continuing research in this area. Globally, invertebrate biodiversity is on the decline for a number of reasons. Monitoring invertebrate species, which is crucial for understanding and conserving the population, can be made far easier using DNA methods, such as DNA barcoding and metabarcoding. These methods allow for the rapid and cost-effective identification of species for monitoring environmental change.

Melissa’s research involves creating the DNA barcodes needed for routine identification of Australian invertebrate species. Her research is also developing high-throughput DNA metabarcoding for the rapid cost-effective monitoring and assessment of invertebrate biodiversity.