The Molecular Ecology Research Group (MERG) specialises in the use of non-invasive genetics to study wildlife. The team has expertise in surveying a variety of wild mammals including pine marten, otter, squirrels, deer and bats and collecting hair and faecal samples for DNA analysis. The team specialises in the design and development of forensic based DNA assays to detect species, sex and individual animals using real-time PCR and microsatellite genotyping.
The group are currently working on pine marten and bat projects, and work with a variety of collaborators including academics, government and non-government organisations, local community groups and citizen scientists.