Regulation of saxitoxin production in bacteria and algae. In Australia, toxic algal blooms have had a devastating impact on marine and freshwater resources. In collaboration with a biotechnology company, this project will develop exciting new methods based on information regarding the genetics of the toxin, to monitor and potentially mitigate the effects of algal blooms on water supplies and aquaculture industries. We will use this method to determine the impact of light and salinity in regulati ....Regulation of saxitoxin production in bacteria and algae. In Australia, toxic algal blooms have had a devastating impact on marine and freshwater resources. In collaboration with a biotechnology company, this project will develop exciting new methods based on information regarding the genetics of the toxin, to monitor and potentially mitigate the effects of algal blooms on water supplies and aquaculture industries. We will use this method to determine the impact of light and salinity in regulating toxin production in cyanobacteria and algae.Read moreRead less
Predictive ichthyotoxicity, diagnostics and risk assessment of harmful algal blooms impacting on the Tasmanian salmonid aquaculture industry. We aim to define through a combination of laboratory culture exposure and live cage bioassay experiments the minimum cell concentrations of harmful microalgae (Karenia, Heterosigma, Noctiluca, Chaetoceros) that can cause salmonid mortalities or are a factor in compromising fish health or reducing fish farm productivity. The diagnostic pathology and fish be ....Predictive ichthyotoxicity, diagnostics and risk assessment of harmful algal blooms impacting on the Tasmanian salmonid aquaculture industry. We aim to define through a combination of laboratory culture exposure and live cage bioassay experiments the minimum cell concentrations of harmful microalgae (Karenia, Heterosigma, Noctiluca, Chaetoceros) that can cause salmonid mortalities or are a factor in compromising fish health or reducing fish farm productivity. The diagnostic pathology and fish behaviour caused by different harmful algal taxa will be carefully documented to assist fish health inspectors in the routine diagnosis of algal toxicosis ot compromised fish health. Ultimately, this information will be integrated into a risk assessment strategy for the Tasmanian salmonid industry to manage fish stocks during times of harmful algal bloom events.Read moreRead less
Synergistic interactions between reactive oxygen species, free fatty acids and neurotoxins as the fish-killing mechanism of Australian gymnodinioid dinoflagellates. Provide the scientific basis for sound management and mitigation strategies to prevent algal bloom impacts on aquaculture, fisheries and the environment.
The role of toxin biosynthesis for marine dinoflagellates - an evolutionary ecological approach. Dinoflagellates are a group of microalgae that include coral symbionts and phytoplankton. Many species produce potent toxins that can be a problem in the aquaculture industry. This project will use novel genetic methods to investigate the evolution and ecology of toxin production in a variety of marine dinoflagellates.
Differential accumulation of algal biotoxins within diploid and triploid Pacific Oysters and Sydney Rock Oysters. The major commercial shellfish in NSW, Sydney rock oysters and Pacific oysters, can accumulate paralytic shellfish toxins with potentially severe human health impacts. This project will determine the impacts of ocean climate change on toxin uptake and metabolism, and investigate its genetic basis in a native oyster species.
Can lateral gene transfer lead to ecological innovation in eukaryotes? The role of saxitoxin in the diversification of Alexandrium. This project will determine the processes that led to the acquisition and diversification of the genetic basis for a potent neurotoxin, saxitoxin. This project will determine its impact on the evolution of the marine producing organisms and investigate novel genetic methods of toxin detection.