The new "colleague" will now perform DNA analysis of monitoring samples more efficiently and quickly. The robot will be used as part of wild bee monitoring in agricultural landscapes. This monitoring program also uses state-of-the-art technologies to record the status of wild bee populations.

"In wild bee monitoring, we rely on DNA-based methods, among other things, to resolve species complexes, document pollinator-plant interactions and, in the long term, also to record genetic diversity," explains Dr. Wiebke Sickel, head of the Molecular Ecology in Agricultural Landscapes working group at the Thünen Institute and responsible for DNA analysis for wild bee monitoring. Volunteers from all over germany collect numerous samples for the monitoring every year, which are then sent to the laboratory for DNA analysis. However, the process from sample preparation to data analysis is time-consuming.

The new pipetting robot now performs essential steps such as automated DNA extraction and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) preparation, significantly accelerating the entire process. This automation enables faster delivery of results and indicators on wild bee diversity in agricultural landscapes while simultaneously reducing the analysis' susceptibility to error.

“With the new technology, we can work more efficiently and use the data obtained more quickly to better understand and assess the ecological importance of wild bees in agricultural areas,” Dr. Sickel continues.

With this step, the Thünen Institute is not only focusing on innovation, but also on improved collaboration between science, technology, and volunteers. The pipetting robot will contribute to the continuous optimization of monitoring wild bee diversity in agricultural landscapes, thus providing valuable data for nature conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Further information can be found here: wildbienen.thuenen.de