Scientists discover genetic basis for how harmful algal blooms become toxic. (2018, September 27). Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://phys.org/news/2018-09-scientists-genetic-basis-algal-blooms.html

 

Students at UC San Diego and scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute found a cluster of genes associated with the production of domoic acid in the species Pseudo-Nitzschia. These genes contain the biological instructions for producing the toxin and thus can be used to find out what oceanic conditions turn the production on or off. The scientists found that phosphate limitation and an increased level of carbon dioxide causes these phytoplankton to release domoic acids that can then be harmful to the rest of the ecosystem. The scientists plan to use this research to assist in predicting the toxicity of algal blooms.

 

This is an important breakthrough in the study of Pseudo-Nitzschia since we now know how their toxin works and what we can do to prevent it. The hard part is figuring out how to turn the production gene off for so many algae. It will be almost impossible to force evolution through genetic mutation when there are already so many that are still emitting the toxins. Even then, knowing the toxicity level will assist the public in knowing whether or not it is safe to enter water that has a algal bloom in it which will be immensely helpful for people who do not know how to tell.