Scientists sampling DNA in the air to monitor the spread of deadly diseases say their research could help make food cheaper.
Earlham Institute said its air sampler process can detect bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that pose a threat to plants, animals and humans more quickly and accurately than other technologies.
This means farmers won't need to use as many chemicals and can grow crops more cheaply and efficiently.
It could also transform environmental conservation and public health practices.
All living organisms constantly shed parts of their DNA into their surroundings.
Mia Berelson, a doctoral student at the institute, says the technique can very quickly tell us what's living where and when.
“Each device acts like a really big vacuum cleaner, sucking in more than 200 litres of air per minute,” she says.
“The air passes through the filter and everything in the air – bacteria debris, skin cells, pollen debris – all of that gets stuck on the filter.”
That DNA is then sequenced to create a profile of all the different organisms detected in the area.
The Earlham Institute has been sampling the air near farmers' fields for several years, but is now also sampling coastal, forested and urban areas.
Eight samplers were set up across Norfolk, including in Brancaster, Norwich city centre, Thetford Forest, Carlton Marshes and Oulton Marshes.
There are now many in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Oxfordshire.
The researchers plan to power up the devices simultaneously for an hour and repeat the experiment every three months to understand seasonal changes.
Full results will be analyzed in spring 2025.
“Food will be cheaper,” said postdoctoral researcher Darren Heavens.
“If farmers are informed about the presence of pathogens in the air, they can take a more targeted approach to spraying pesticides.” [chemicals].
“If you only spray once, you save money. If there are no pathogens present, you don't have to spray at all, so that also saves money.”
“If he can save money, he can pass it on to his customers, who can then get a cheaper product.”
But research is still in its infancy, so it will be a while before the difference is noticeable at the register.
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