The Environmental DNA Research and Development Center (EDRNA) is the first dedicated eDNA center in the Philippines, established in 2024 at Mindanao State University at Naawan to lead the development, application, and promotion of eDNA technologies for environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and aquatic resource management. Its establishment was catalyzed by the implementation of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project on eDNA Metabarcoding on Mangrove Fauna: Philippine Node, which opened opportunities for expanding collaborations with national and international partners in the growing field of eDNA research. These linkages highlighted the need for an institutional platform to support coordinated efforts in training, research, innovation, and technology transfer.

While the Center is the first of its kind in the country, it recognizes and values the growing body of eDNA research being conducted by other institutions across the Philippines. These efforts reflect the increasing interest in molecular tools for biodiversity assessment and environmental management. The Center seeks to complement and collaborate with these initiatives by serving as a platform for knowledge sharing, methodological standardization, and interdisciplinary partnerships. By fostering synergy among researchers, agencies, and conservation practitioners, the Center aims to contribute to a more cohesive and impactful national effort in advancing eDNA science and its applications for the sustainable management of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

The Center operates under the Research and Innovation Institute (RII) of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Global Engagement (OVCRIGE).