Environmental DNA (eDNA)
A team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has outfitted National Geographic Resolution with a portable eDNA sequencing lab to examine sea life in the waters we travel worldwide—particularly species that cannot be identified at the surface or detected by other exploration tools, such as remotely operated vehicles. The lab has the ability to sequence DNA in a matter of hours, so we can see results while at sea. These data will contribute to growing eDNA databases worldwide.