Environmental sampling technology

Adding science to the sample.

Biota Trace develops technologies that help organisations monitor air and water more effectively, enabling scalable, automated and event-driven monitoring.

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Where we fit

The science starts before the laboratory.

Molecular analysis has advanced rapidly in sophistication, capability and accessibility. The value of every result, however, is only as good as the sample.

The analytical process has received sustained development and refinement. The sampling process has not.

Biota Trace focuses on that overlooked layer, developing technologies that are complementary to existing analytical methods and providers. We add the science to how molecular samples are acquired, preserved and contextualised, making it possible to sample more systematically, at greater scale and at the moments that matter, with less wasted effort and cost.

This allows researchers, analytical providers, consultancies, industry and utilities to strengthen their molecular monitoring programmes while continuing to use the methods, technologies and partners that work for them.

The Biota Trace Platform

Connect sampling to what is happening in the environment.

Biota Trace instruments and technology can operate independently or as part of a connected ecosystem, linking samplers with sensors and environmental data to enable scalable, event-driven and context-aware sampling and monitoring.

Our single and multi-channel gateways stream telemetry to live dashboards. User-defined rules allow samplers to respond dynamically at a catchment or landscape wide scale.

See how the Platform works
How a connected Biota Trace deployment works Samplers and sensors in the field report through a gateway to EASI, where user-defined rules decide when a sample should be taken. When a rule matches, an event trigger returns through the gateway to the sampler, completing a continuous loop. In the field Samplers + sensors Gateway Telemetry link EASI Rules + records EVENT TRIGGER A CONTINUOUS LOOP, NOT A CALENDAR

Technology

Different tools for different sampling problems.

Start with the capability you need today. Each technology can stand alone or become part of a wider connected monitoring programme.

Two SP50 samplers set up as solar-powered sampling stations on a field table.
Water

SP50

Rapidly process grab samples, sample directly in the field, or deploy for event-driven sampling.

Water monitoring
An engineer removing sample filters from a Biota MAP autosampler cabinet at the waterside.
Water

MAP

Customisable autosamplers with integrated telemetry for scheduled and dynamic sampling.

Explore MAP
An operator in protective coveralls lifting the collection cup from a tripod-mounted CY45 air sampler.
Air

CY45

Cyclone-based airborne molecular sampling for biodiversity, bioaerosols and INNS detection.

Air monitoring
The TRACE-E 120 on the water with five sample canisters loaded on its deck.
Spatial

TRACE-E

Extending spatial sampling and monitoring, capturing geospatial data along transects and across areas of interest.

Extending Reach

Modular by design

Start where the value is clearest. Build from there.

Start with SP50 for simpler water-sample processing. Add connectivity when sampling needs to respond to sensors or other instruments. Move to MAP when you need automated sampling over time, TRACE-E when you need to extend sampling across space, or CY45 when you want to take molecular monitoring into air.

See the technology

  1. Sample

    Start with the instrument that solves the immediate sampling problem, whether that is processing water samples with SP50 or collecting molecular samples from air with CY45.

  2. Connect

    Use single or multi-channel gateways to connect samplers, sensors and other instruments, with telemetry linking field equipment into the wider monitoring system.

  3. Respond

    Use the EASI Dashboard to create rules and triggers that allow sampling to respond to changing environmental conditions and events.

  4. Scale

    Use MAP autosamplers for multi-temporal sampling in water, TRACE-E to extend sampling and monitoring across space, or CY45 to extend molecular monitoring into air.

Open by design

Use the part of Biota Trace that fits your workflow.

Biota Trace technology is designed to work with existing molecular methods, laboratories and service models. Organisations can use our instruments within their own workflows, integrate them into services for their clients, or work with Biota Trace to deliver a complete monitoring programme.

For researchers and R&D teams

Use Biota Trace instruments to strengthen sampling while retaining your own laboratory methods, assays and analytical workflows.

How we help researchers

For eDNA and analytical service providers

Add scalable, automated and event-driven sampling to your existing service, generating more systematic sample coverage while continuing to use your own laboratory and reporting workflows.

How we work with providers

For organisations needing a complete programme

Biota Trace can combine sampling technology, deployment, monitoring, molecular analysis and data delivery into a complete programme built around the environmental question.

Programmes we run

Flexible ways to get started

Start with the level of support that suits your programme.

Biota Trace technology can be owned outright, used by your team for a defined campaign, or operated by us. This makes it possible to take on as much or as little as suits you, and to change that as the programme develops.

Own the capability

Purchase Biota Trace instruments and operate them as part of your own monitoring programme, with access to the same connectivity, rules, records and support.

Use it for a campaign

Use Biota Trace instruments for a season, study or defined monitoring programme. Your team operates the technology, with support from us where needed.

We run the programme

Biota Trace deploys and operates the technology, manages sampling and recovery, and supports delivery of the wider monitoring programme.

The technology remains the same. What changes is how you choose to use it.

Contact us about what you are trying to sample, detect or understand. We will help define the monitoring approach around the question.

Talk about which fits See which suits you