Acronym BEACONS
Category
Marine Biotechnology
Title Biosafety for environmental contaminants using Novel Sensors Programme International Cooperation
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National-European Coordinator Richard O'Kennedy Coordinator email richard.okennedy@dcu.ie
Coordinator institution
DCU - Dublin City University (Ireland)
Institutions involved
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (United States of America) ,
QUB - Queen's University Belfast (United Kingdom) ,
Start year 2009 End year 2012 Funding (€) € 377,025 Website https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/217121467.pdf Summary This project aims to generate a rapid and inexpensive algal detection system for use in coastal monitoring programs, by developing in situ sensors for the marine environment. The collaboration presents a unique opportunity to produce and apply sensor–based assays for detecting biotoxins and the corresponding toxigenic organisms. A major focus of the work is the detection of both the heptapeptide toxins, microcystins, which are produced primarily by freshwater cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, produced by dinoflagellates. The detection of these marine biotoxins is of great significance since they exhibit major toxicity leading to huge losses in shellfish production and associated human health impacts. The research will produce highly sensitive and novel recombinant antibody fragments and incorporate them into a microfluidic sensing platform.
Goals:
(1) Develop a microfluidic sample preparation module for HAB species and toxins and integration onto a sensor platform; (2) Generate specific antibodies (monoclonal and recombinant) for sample clean-up/concentration in the microfluidic module from - 1 - and for incorporation into the SNAP ESI fluorescence-based platform for biosensor-based toxin assays; (3) Produce toxin conjugates that will be used as (i) immunogens and (ii) during the production of recombinant antibodies and (iii) as reagents immobilized onto the SNAP ESI platform; (4) Express, purify and test biologically active recombinant human voltage-gated sodium channels; (5) Develop peptide-nucleic acid (PNA)-based prototype assays for Alexandrium and Microcystis utilizing the MBio Snap ESI platform; (6) Develop a prototype assay for MCs and PSTs using antibodies and toxin-conjugates utilizing the MBio SNAP ESI platform.
Keywords
Prototype;
Impacts;
Toxic substances;
Algal toxins;
Monitoring;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
Marine Region Map
