VICTORIA, BC – February 21, 2025: A new Canadian innovation is advancing ocean research capabilities to combat biodiversity loss. Ocean Diagnostics Inc. has released Ascension, a 22-pound automated robot that collects environmental DNA (eDNA) samples down to 400-meter depths from the side of just a small boat.
“A global, complex problem like biodiversity loss requires innovative solutions that can easily scale and produce reliable and replicable results. Ascension makes eDNA sampling easy and accessible for researchers, conservationists and community scientists alike,” says Ethan Edson, CEO and Co-Founder of Ocean Diagnostics.
Environmental DNA is like human DNA: Aquatic organisms and animals shed DNA as they move through the water, which can be picked up on small filters and analyzed in genomics sequencing labs. The eDNA is amplified and matched with growing reference libraries to identify key and at-risk species. Ascension enables researchers to collect important freshwater and marine species data without disturbing the ecosystems it aims to protect.
Ascension’s advanced pump systems, actuators, and state-of-the-art sensors provide real-time data and automation while reducing human error and contamination risks to improve data reliability. With a unique modular design and structured frame, the instrument resembles a marine organism – like the ones it aims to protect. Researchers worldwide are already adopting it to monitor large marine mammals, coral reefs and key salmon species.
Edson shares, “By overcoming the barriers of collecting eDNA at depth or hard-to-reach areas, Ascension can be used anytime, anywhere to protect and conserve ocean habitats essential to the economy, food security and cultural preservation.”
Discover how Ascension is transforming environmental conservation here.>
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About Ocean Diagnostics
Ocean Diagnostics is a Canadian environmental impact company tackling microplastic pollution and biodiversity loss with cutting-edge technologies that help researchers obtain the reliable scientific data needed to inform solutions.
1 min read
Mar 12, 2025
