We are Ecotype Genetics.

 We support conservation efforts and ecological research with accurate and reliable genetic services.

Our story.

Ecotype Genetics was founded by Prof. Fiona Mathews, Dr. Thomas Etheridge and Prof. Antony Carr from a collective desire to transfer academic expertise in ecological and genetic research out of the laboratory and into a real world setting. The company's mission is to support the protection and conservation of wildlife by providing accurate and reliable genetic services to the ecology and environmental sector. 

Ecotype Genetics specialises in providing DNA-based species identification from samples collected during protected species surveys. We use optimised protocols to extract genetic material and then use a range of DNA technologies such as species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing to accurately identify species of origin.

Research is at the very heart of Ecotype Genetics and we are constantly looking to develop new services that will best serve our clients and help them reach their project goals. We often work to develop bespoke analysis for specific requirements that don't match our standard services.

Who we are.

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Prof. Fiona Mathews (Director/Co-founder)

Fiona Mathews is Professor of Environmental Biology at the University of Sussex. She works on finding solutions to conservation problems and led the recent 20-year review of the Population and Conservation Status of British Mammals. She specialises in the ecology of bats, having worked on them for more than 20 years as an academic, ecological consultant, and volunteer. Research projects conducted in her group recently include developing molecular techniques to study the population genetic structure and age profile of Bechstein’s bats, research on the effects of wind turbines on bats, and a review for CIEEM of the effectiveness of bat mitigation strategies.

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Dr. Tom Etheridge (Managing Director/Co-founder)

Tom trained as a molecular biologist and spent the early part of his career as a Research Fellow at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex. His research was highly interdisciplinary, working with scientists from a variety of academic backgrounds. During this time, Tom developed an interest in entrepreneurship and business creation and was keen to marry this with his knowledge gained in molecular genetics and DNA technologies. Pursuing his passion led to Tom co-founding Ecotype Genetics with Fiona and Tony and he is now Managing Director.

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Prof. Tony Carr (Director/Co-founder)

Tony is a Professor at the University of Sussex and Director of the Genome Damage and Stability Centre. He was elected as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) in 2007 and as a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2015. Tony’s academic work focuses on understanding how DNA damage occurs and how this relates to cancer development. His keen interest in the application of DNA technologies to biological problems led him to co-found Ecotype Genetics with Tom and Fiona.

Let's chat! 

Want to use DNA-based species identification for your protected species surveys? 

Thinking about applying the power of genetics to your latest project?