Stella Hughes
Research Mentor: Erik Kiledal
Mentor Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences, LSA
Author(s): Stella Hughes, E Anders Kiledal
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 35
Abstract
In recent decades, cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) have become more prevalent in waterways around the world, endangering aquatic ecosystems and access to safe drinking water. cHABs grow rapidly and can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. The Michigan Geomicrobiology Lab studies these blooms to identify mechanisms that drive bloom formation and toxin production and solutions that will protect our aquatic ecosystems. We are particularly interested in Phenylobacterium, a heterotrophic bacteria more correlated with concentrations of the cyanotoxin microcystin than Microcystis, the organism that produces it. This species of bacteria was previously shown to sustain HABs and influence toxin production. However, few isolates of Phenylobacterium exist from cHAB samples, limiting our ability to study interactions with bloom forming organisms. We screened existing cyanobacterial cultures maintained by the lab for any that contain Phenylobacterium to enable target isolations. We have not yet identified Phenylobacterium in our current cultures but additional sequencing results are expected. Results obtained thus far reveal the different species present in cultures and the abundance of each, informing future project directions. If no Phenylobacterium culture is obtained, we plan to sequence the full genomes of other isolates and continue isolation of additional cultures. If a Phenylobacterium isolate is obtained, our first step will be to acquire a full genome sequence. Subsequently, the genome could be used to evaluate interactions with cyanobacteria, particularly with regards to production or degradation of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin. A Phenylobacterium isolate would also be a valuable resource for other labs interested in cHABs and their interactions with heterotrophic bacteria. With further research, understanding of cyanobacterial algal blooms and bloom-forming organisms like Microcystis and their interactions with heterotrophs such as Phenylobacterium will improve. A clearer understanding of these species and their interactions could enable new solutions for mitigating or preventing cHABs.
