Research > Rainforest > Green Lab

Established at Amazon Field Station byInkaterra, GreenLab is the first molecular biology and genetics field research laboratory set up in the Amazon rainforest. This initiative promoted by InkaTerra Asociación (ITA) and Field Projects International (FPI) aims to to explore and apply genetic research methodologies to conserve Amazonian and broader Peruvian biodiversity by local capacity building.

More than 90% of the total estimate of living organisms inhabiting our planet are yet unknown to science. A disproportionate number of these organisms reside in biodiverse ecosystems like the forests of the Madre de Dios region. Given this situation, efforts are committed to promote and spread access to genetic information. This allows the identification of organisms and their functional features, their ecological inputs and relationships, as well as further studies on their evolution. Applying genetic research to biodiversity conservation will give access previously unknown information to design and implement more effective conservation actions.

The devices in this laboratory are designed to withstand the most adverse conditions, while simultaneously being portable and efficient for research and conservation. The two main advantages of working at the GreenLab are to offer an alternative to researchers that decreases time and resources invested in DNA analyses going from extraction to sequence; and to provide an adequate space for training students and professionals at any levels in molecular biology and genetics.