Ava Tackabury
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Katelyn McKindles
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology / LSA
Program: UROP
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Ava Tackabury, Katelyn McKindles, Timothy James
Abstract
Microcystis spp., bloom-forming cyanobacteria, dominate cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) found within eutrophic freshwaters like western Lake Erie (Laurentian Great Lakes). Cyanophages (viruses) play a large role in cyanobacteria life cycles, driving nutrient mobilization and facilitating the transfer of genetic material. Cyanophage lysis of Microcystis host cells poses serious public health risks as Microcystis spp. can produce microcystin, a hazardous hepatotoxin, and lytic events can increase human exposure to toxins. In this study, strains of Microcystis from western Lake Erie were inoculated with the cyanophage MVGF_J_348, which also originated from western Lake Erie. In the lab, the virus was inoculated at two densities in four host strains. Host cell death was measured using optical density and viral replication was measured using qPCR. Two host strains (282-2 and 282-3) showed complete lysis within 2 days while the other two hosts (282-1 and 282-4) showed incomplete lysis and recovered within the 12-day sample period. Additionally, cyanophages Ma-LMM01 and MVGF_J_348 were quantified in environmental samples taken from western Lake Erie during the 2022 bloom season. MVGF_J_348 concentrations were elevated on certain dates and Ma-LMM01 concentrations were insignificant. The findings provide a further understanding of viral-host interactions between cyanophages and cyanobacteria in bloom environments, showing potential for future applications in bloom monitoring, control, and mitigation. Understanding lytic cyanophage activity in cHABs is crucial in protecting public health from bloom toxins.
