Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot that is facing rapid rates of deforestation, habitat destruction, and poverty. Urgent action is required to document the status of biodiversity to facilitate efficacious conservation plans. With the recent advent of portable and affordable genetic technologies, it is now possible to take genomic approaches out of the lab and into the field. Mobile genetics labs can produce scientifically reproducible data under field conditions, dramatically minimizing the time between sample collection and data analysis. Here, we show “proof of concept” by deploying miniPCR bio’s miniaturized thermal cycler alongside Oxford Nanopore’s MinION DNA sequencer in Madagascar. Specifically, we deployed this technology at Anjajavy, northwestern Madagascar for rapid biodiversity assessment. We successfully extracted mouse lemur DNA, amplified and sequenced a phylogenetically informative mitochondrial gene (cytochrome-b; cytb), and thereby confirmed the presence of Danfoss’ mouse lemur (M. danfossi) within the Anjajavy Reserve. We show that a mobile genetics lab can provide expeditious results, and allow scientists to conduct genetic analyses, potentially allowing for rapid interventions under emergency conditions in situ. Additionally, mobile labs offer powerful training opportunities for in-country scientists for whom training opportunities were previously confined to ex-situ locations. By bringing genomic technologies to Madagascar and other economically challenged and biodiverse regions of the world, the next generation of scientists and conservationists can more fully implement their leadership roles. Local laboratory and training facilities are changing the polarity of research programs in Madagascar and empowering national researchers to take charge of environmental stewardship.

马达加斯加是一个生物多样性热点，正面临着森林砍伐，栖息地破坏和贫困的迅速蔓延的趋势。需要采取紧急行动记录生物多样性的状况，以促进有效的保护计划。随着最近便携式和负担得起的遗传技术的出现，现在有可能将基因组方法带出实验室并进入现场。流动遗传学实验室可以在野外条件下产生科学可复制的数据，从而极大地减少了样品收集和数据分析之间的时间。在这里，我们通过在马达加斯加部署miniPCR bio的微型热循环仪以及牛津纳米孔的MinION DNA测序仪，展示了“概念验证”。具体来说，我们在马达加斯加西北部的Anjajavy部署了这项技术，以快速评估生物多样性。我们成功提取了小鼠狐猴DNA，M. danfossi）在Anjajavy保护区内。我们表明，移动遗传学实验室可以提供快速的结果，并允许科学家进行遗传分析，从而有可能在紧急情况下就地进行快速干预。此外，移动实验室还为以前被限制在异地工作的国内科学家提供了强大的培训机会。通过将基因组技术带入马达加斯加以及世界上其他经济困难和生物多样化的地区，下一代科学家和保护主义者可以更充分地发挥其领导作用。当地的实验室和培训机构正在改变马达加斯加研究计划的极性，并授权国家研究人员负责环境管理。