UHI Inverness Researchers open doors to laboratories

Members of third sector groups were taken on a tour of the newly refurbished laboratories in An Lochan where Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation researchers are conducting DNA based research.

Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation hosted the visit as part of the A3 Scotland 2024: Transition to Digital – Fit for the Future Conference. The conference was organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise alongside Scotland's Rural College.

This was a not-for-profit two-day conference for the Animal Health, Agritech and Aquaculture (AAA) sectors and attracted attendees from all over the world. It included plenaries, breakouts, investor panel and start up pitching, as well as sessions on funding, international showcase, skills and emerging solutions in AI, robotics and sensors.

Professor Bernd Hänfling introduced the visitors to the IBFC laboratories and our work, including biodiversity monitoring using environmental DNA, genetic analysis of salmon stocks and fundamental research using genetic tools. Visitors also had an opportunity to talk to our researchers about ongoing projects and potential future opportunities.

Bernd said: “Taking part in this kind of cross-sectoral event is a great opportunity to showcase the wide range of high-quality research that is undertaken at the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation in UHI Inverness – and to demonstrate our commitment to working in partnership across all the different rural industries and land management sectors in the Highlands and Islands.”