Team:Stony Brook
Ready!
Pac-Coli
Stony Brook University
The Problem
Toxins from cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) contaminate lakes and cause severe illness or even death in humans and animals who consume contaminated water. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is one such toxin that is ubiquitous in lakes with cHABs. Increasing MC-LR presence in water is harmful to human health and biodiversity.
The Problem
Toxins from cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) contaminate lakes and cause severe illness or even death in humans and animals who consume contaminated water. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is one such toxin that is ubiquitous in lakes with cHABs. Increasing MC-LR presence in water is harmful to human health and biodiversity.
Urgency
Global warming and climate change have exacerbated the issue. In recent decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of cHABs worldwide. Because this is a growing environmental concern, the development of an affordable and effective method of MC-LR degradation is crucial.
Urgency
Global warming and climate change have exacerbated the issue. In recent decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of cHABs worldwide. Because this is a growing environmental concern, the development of an affordable and effective method of MC-LR degradation is crucial.
The Solution
Our project aims to develop a novel microcystin degradation solution by utilizing recombinant E. coli that heterologously over-express MlrA, or microcystinase, an enzyme known to degrade MC-LR. Two approaches have been developed to address this issue. One strain will express MlrA anchored to the outer membrane of E.coli, and the other will freely secrete MlrA into the periplasm of E.coli. Also, this project proposes a modified E.coli strain which can detect microcystin presence in lakes.
The Solution
Our project aims to develop a novel microcystin degradation solution by utilizing recombinant E.coli that heterologously over-express MlrA, or microcystinase, an enzyme known to degrade MC-LR. Two approaches have been developed to address this issue. One strain will express MlrA anchored to the outer membrane of E.coli, and the other will freely secrete MlrA into the periplasm of E.coli. Also, this project proposes a modified E.coli strain which can detect microcystin presence in lakes.
