Biodiversity Genomics Group

Welcome to our website!

We, the Biodiversity Genomics Group at the University of Oulu, focus on applied research in the field of conservation and environmental genomics, biodiversity monitoring, and wildlife forensics since 2023. Our research comprises a variety of study species, such as Siberian flying squirrels, cheetahs, bay mussels and insects. We cover a range of habitats, from local river systems to the Atlantic, Arctic and Southern Ocean, from the rainforests of South America to the tundra and taiga environments of Finland. We are applying state-of-the-art genomic methods such as on-site whole-genome sequencing and targeted genome capture, ancient DNA analysis, and epigenomics as well as inexpensive, non-invasive monitoring techniques such as SNP-genotyping, metabarcoding and methylation profiling to address conservation questions. A central part of our work is local capacity building, engagement of the public, close collaboration with national and international stakeholders, and the development of applied genetic tools that aid in nature conservation.

Biodiversity Genomics Group 2026
In the lab: Gerrit Wehrenberg, Angelika Kiebler & Stefan Prost.
Gerrit Wehrenberg and Jan Mutter collecting genetic samples from Galápagos giant tortoises at Zürich Zoo, Switzerland. Photo: Tim Benz / Zoo Zürich
Oulanka National Park, Finland
Documentary filming of “L’archipel des forêts/The Forest Archipelago” in Syöte, Finland.
Sampling excursion in Syöte, Finland.
Group excursion at the coast near Longyearbyen in Svalbard.
Koli National Park, Finland
eDNA water sampling
Siberian flying squirrel in Lapua, Finland. © Pekka Takamaa
Assistant professor Stefan Prost
Southern cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) at Münster Zoo, Germany
Gerrit Wehrenberg and Maximilian Schrade study DNA barcodes / Gerrit Wehrenberg ja Maximilian Schrade tutkivat dna-viivakoodeja.
Sampling excursion at the Kiilopää in the Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Oulanka National Park, FInland
Sampling excursion at the Kiilopää in the Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Cloudberry and blueberry picking in North Ostrobothnia, Finland
Galápagos giant tortoise breeding founder “Jumbo” with offspring from 2013 as well as 2014 at Zürich Zoo, Switzerland.
Willow ptarmigan (Lagopus l. lagopus) near Pudasjärvi, Finland.
Oulanka National Park, FInland
Documenting non-invasive sampling for the sampling guide.
At the top of Mountain Kiilopää looking out for ptarmigan droppings in Finnish Lapland.
Documentary filming of “L’archipel des forêts/The Forest Archipelago” in Universit of Oulu, Finland.
A Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) crossing our way.
The valley of Bjørndalen inhabits Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) at Svalbard.
Looking for fossils in the rocky debris below Longyearbreen glacier at Svalbard.
Nordenskiöld Glacier in Svalbard.
(Minke) whale watching near the Nordenskiöld Glacier in Svalbard.
Nordenskiöld Glacier in Svalbard.
1 AM in the bright Finnish summer night of Syöte, waiting for a flying squirrel to wake up!
Common eider (Somateria m. mollissima) female in Hanko, southern Finland.
Sampling eDNA from Finnish rivers.