Incidences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are increasing globally, with consequences to environmental quality and public health. In coastal South Carolina, HABs are associated with 1 out of 4 fish kills. Microcystin, a toxin produced by the cyanobacteria species Microcystis aeruginosa, has been detected in stormwater ponds with close proximity to residential development. Traditional methods for identifying and quantifying HABs are labor and time-intensive and often lack the ability to distinguish between species. These methods are problematic for early warnings and management decisions. In light of the rapidly-expanding growth and development along the coast, and resulting construction of stormwater ponds in close association with humans, there is a human health need for the development of tools to improve the assessment and management these systems.
This project provides support for the development of a cost-effective molecular tool, sandwich hybridization assay (SHA), to detect and quantify cyanobacteria HABs for water quality management purposes. Sandwich hybridization assay uses DNA probes to detect RNA sequences specific to particular species, allowing identification and quantification of phytoplankton species that cause HABs. Researchers will develop and validate the specific DNA probes necessary to target the cyanobacteria M. aeruginosa. Once probes have been developed, the accuracy of the tool will be assessed by comparing molecular SHA results to a calibration standard derived from known concentrations of phytoplanktons. The laboratory validation results will be related to field samples from coastal waters in South Carolina to ensure accuracy when assessing environmental samples. The technology will be shared through workshops and peer-reviewed literature for enhancing end-user monitoring and early warning detection systems.
Research Results
Dearth, NM. “Development of a Sandwich Hybridization assay to identify and quantify the harmful cyanobacterium Microcystis.” Master’s thesis, University of South Carolina, 2017.