In 2023 the Centre for Biodiversity Analysis hosted Rudolf Meier from the Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery at Berlin’s Museum fur Naturkunde for discussions on “DiversityScanner”. The novel technology combines robotics, machine learning and high-throughput genomic sequencing to scan, classify and quantify invertebrate taxa from large mass samples. 

We have continued to work with Meier and his collaborators to bring this technology and associated workflows to Australia. Lead by Megan Head and supported by Rachel Mapperson, we have initiated the establishment of a DiversityScanner facility based at ANU. Ultimately, researchers and managers will be able to bring samples for processing and training and to experiment and co-develop projects for the monitoring and discovery of Australia’s invertebrate biodiversity.

Save the date!

The CBA now invites interested researchers, students, managers and other stakeholders to an introductory 'open day' to hear about and observe the DiversityScanner and discuss potential projects to assist with testing and development of the technology.

Registration and program details will be available soon.