A research team collected airborne DNA aboard a flight using a specialized sampling approach, and the findings were described in PeerJ Life and Environment. The field has seen a rapid expansion in the last decade as scientists learn to capture DNA that exists in the air, a form of environmental DNA that reflects biological material shed from many organisms. DNA fragments can originate from water, surface matter, or air and accumulate over time, offering a powerful tool for identifying species and studying ecosystems without direct observation.
The Clemson University team, led by Kimberly Metris along with collaborators, explored an airborne DNA collection method during actual flight. They employed a filter-equipped probe designed to trap microscopic genetic material from the passing air. By applying metagenomic sequencing to the captured samples, the researchers demonstrated that DNA from a range of life forms—both prokaryotic and eukaryotic—could be recovered from the atmosphere at several kilometers above the ground in the southeastern United States. Remarkably, DNA traces from chickens, cows, and humans were detectable across multiple flight altitudes, including around an altitude of 3 kilometers.
Further analysis revealed the presence of plant allergen DNA from grasses and trees, as well as DNA from organisms not typically observed in the air, such as garlic. The study noted that these airborne signals were strongest during moments of vertical air-mass mixing, when different air layers interact and exchange material. The genomic data also indicated the existence of potentially pathogenic bacteria, including some not previously reported in aerial samples but known to inhabit other extreme environments, such as deep-sea sediments.
The sampler used in the study proved to be reliable and able to minimize sample loss and cross-contamination when genetic material was filtered directly from the air. The researchers envision that their device could enable large-scale mapping of airborne DNA, facilitating the collection of extensive biome data to map how organisms disperse and where they are likely to occur over broad geographic regions.
In summary, the work demonstrates a practical approach to gathering environmental DNA from the atmosphere during flight, offering a new lens for studying biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and potential public health concerns right from the sky. The results underscore how airborne DNA can illuminate patterns of distribution and interaction among species across landscapes, guiding future research in aerobiology and environmental monitoring [Attribution: PeerJ Life and Environment].