DNA analysis of Bird strike

Bird strike (or more accurately wildlife strike) costs the aviation industry millions of dollars annually and represents an additional risk for airlines and airports to manage. The Australian Museum DNA lab assists the airline industry by carrying out DNA-based identification of the wildlife involved in these strikes.

What?

At the Australian Museum we routinely identify wildlife strike samples for many Australian airports using DNA. This technique of DNA species identification is particularly useful when there are little or no remains from a strike that are able to be identified visually making DNA identification one of the only options.

We find that airports are often very surprised (sometimes pleasantly surprised) by the unexpected species identified by the DNA results.

Why?

Accurate species identification is very important so airports can target their management efforts to focus on known problem species.

More information

We conduct these analyses on a commercial basis, for additional information please contact us

Dr Rebecca Johnson , Head of Research (Acting)
Last Updated: 23 January 2012

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3 comments

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Rebecca Johnson
3.01 PM, 23 January 2012

Hi Nathan,

That is wonderful to hear!!

I'm very glad you enjoyed learning about that lab and even better that you are thinking of a career in science. Science is always looking for bright, enthusiastic youngsters such as yourself.

All the best,

Rebecca

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Rockaholic
9.01 PM, 18 January 2012

It is so awesome I've been in there with Rebecca and The Asisstant Director Steven Alderton I saw a bottle of tissue and seen what they do it it very interesting I thinking of being a DNA scientist.