Curious about what's living in your lake, river, wetland, or marine ecosystem?

eRNA & eDNA technology can be used to detect and determine invasive, endangered, and microbiological aquatic species to support public and private sector efforts to manage biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem health.

About Us

We are experts in eRNA and eDNA,
helping you understand presence of species or population dynamics in your aquatic ecosystem.

As a specialized environmental testing lab, EQO serves both public and private clients responsible for lakes, rivers, reservoirs, wetlands, estuaries and marine ecosystems that face mounting challenges from climate change and pollution runoff. Much like addressing human health, the journey to ensuring aquatic ecosystem vitality and diversity starts with precise detection, diagnostics, and monitoring.

A biotech lab focus on aquatic ecosystems

Species Indentification

Utilizing techniques like metabarcoding and qPCR, our lab can detect and identify a vast array of aquatic species, from invasive to endangered. Our methods offer insights into both active species (through RNA analysis) and past presence (through DNA analysis), ensuring a comprehensive understanding of species diversity. Discover the organisms in your waters with unparalleled precision.

Population Dynamics

Using bioinformatics analysis our lab monitors the relative abundance and activities of different species present in aquatic ecosystems. Our laboratory tools provide insights into the health, stress levels, and overall vitality of these populations, offering a snapshot of biodiversity and general trends in your waters.

Source Differentiation

With our lab's advanced methods, including PhyloChip, we offer a broad-spectrum view of microbial presence. By differentiating microbiome fingerprints among all known prokaryotes, we provide a detailed landscape of bacterial and archaeal biodiversity in aquatic samples, ensuring you have the necessary data to make informed decisions around fecal source tracing, biosecurity threat assessment, and more.

Condition Assessment

Harnessing the power of eRNA, we provide a near real-time perspective on the active processes within aquatic organisms to help determine the effectiveness of mitigation efforts. This allows you to gauge the health and safety of aquatic ecosystems, determining current activities, stress levels, and overall conditions of the waters.

Download EQO Case Studies

Yurok Salmon

Zebra Mussels

About EQO

Drawing from his expertise in cancer research, John Higley founded EQO because he recognized the critical demand for a biotech lab dedicated solely to preserving aquatic ecosystem health. Dive deeper into Founder & CEO John Higley's vision and how we are applying cancer detection technology for the environment.

About Us

Problems our lab helps you address

Invasive Species

Invasive species like Zebra & Quagga mussels threaten our aquatic ecosystems. EQO empowers clients to actively manage and mitigate these infestations.

Endangered Species

Pollution, climate shifts, and habitat loss endanger native species. With EQO, clients can effectively track and respond to changing population dynamics.

BioSecurity Risks

The rise of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) poses significant health and safety challenges. EQO partners with clients to address and manage these biosecurity threats.