Ryann Jibson
Research Mentor(s): Sara Rivera
Mentor Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Authors: Ryann Jibson, Lauren Hart, Gregory Dick, Jenan Kharbush
Session: Session 5 (2:00pm – 2:50pm)
Presentation Type: Oral
Abstract
Microcystis aeruginosa is a well-known cyanobacterium commonly associated with cyanobacteria-dominated harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). Its ability to produce the potent cyanotoxin microcystin poses significant health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen availability has been shown to influence M. aeruginosa toxicity, yet the extent of this relationship remains poorly understood, particularly given the dynamic shifts in nitrogen forms throughout a bloom season and the variability of nitrogen inputs within a watershed. This study employs untargeted metabolomics—integrating liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with feature-based molecular networking and in silico metabolite annotation—to investigate how different nitrogen substrates shape metabolite production, with a specific focus on cyanotoxin biosynthesis. Results indicate that both nitrogen substrate type and strain identity significantly influence metabolite profiles. Secondary metabolites with varying functions exhibited substrate-dependent production patterns, underscoring the complexity of cyanotoxin regulation and metabolite interactions in response to nitrogen availability. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of M. aeruginosa metabolic plasticity and highlight the importance of considering diverse cyanotoxins in environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
