RESEARCH GROUP

WeDNA – Water eDNA Monitoring Center

Updated: January 2026

WeDNA is a group working with aquatic environmental DNA to support biodiversity assessment and environmental monitoring of Swedish freshwater ecosystems.

Part of the Division of Microbial Ecology.

 

Our aim

Our primary aim is to develop, validate and apply eDNA based methods for biodiversity monitoring. This includes improving metabarcoding workflows, evaluating methodological performance, and advancing robust approaches for freshwater ecosystems.

 

Our work

We apply aquatic eDNA methods to assess biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems across Sweden. By analyzing DNA traces present in water samples, we provide evidence-based biodiversity monitoring in collaboration with governmental agencies and research partners.

Our work covers the entire eDNA workflow, from field-based water sampling to DNA extraction, sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.

 

The WeDNA team

  • Anna Székely - Researcher
  • Maria Kahlert - Researcher
  • Stina Drakare - Researcher
  • Karl Lundén - Environmental Assessment Apecialist
  • Theresa Lumpi - Environmental Assessment Specialist
  • Rafael Augusto - Research Assistant/PhD Student
  • Ingrid Alma Rydhammer Asp - Research Assistant
  • Claudia Bergin - Research Engineer
  • Javier Vargas - Research Engineer
  • Moritz Buck - Bioinformatician

 

Alumni

  • Konstantinos Kleidonaris (Research intern 2025).
  • Caitlin Bultynck (BSc 2025).
  • Freja Westermark (BSc 2023 and lab/field assistant 2024).
  • Conrad Marshall (Research assistant).

 

Interested in our research?

  • Want to know more? 
  • Interested in doing your thesis or internship with us?
  • Interested in collaborating? 

Contact us!