Record Details
Comparative Growth Study of Toxic and Non-Toxic Microcystis aeruginosa Strains under Oxidative Stress Conditions
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Comparative Growth Study of Toxic and Non-Toxic Microcystis aeruginosa Strains under Oxidative Stress Conditions |
| Names |
Rajput, Neil
(creator) Dreher, Theo (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 2014-05-15 (iso8601) |
| Note | Honors Bachelor of Science (HBS) |
| Abstract | Toxic cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater sources are of increasing concern due to the production of toxins that pose a threat to human health. Both toxic and non-toxic strains of Microcystis aeruginosa cohabitate with one-another, in vivo. However, environmental conditions play a large role in determining the dominance of toxic or non-toxic strains in a given cyanobacterial bloom. The mechanism underlying Microcystis aeruginosa’s ability to out compete other strains in response to changing environmental conditions remains under investigation. This research studies the growth of different toxic and non-toxic strains of Microcystis aeruginosa under varying light intensities. Light intensity was analyzed as it was shown to be a source of photooxidative stress. A scopoletin assay was adapted to measure the evolution of hydrogen peroxide, which was found to be greater in samples exposed to high light treatment. The study also incorporated comparative genomics to highlight several conserved peroxiredoxin genes in certain strains of Microcystis aeruginosa that have been studied in other cyanobacterial species as stress-response mechanisms. This information was used to analyze and interpret environmental data published on ecological shifts of toxic potential that have been noted in many Microcystis aeruginosa dominated blooms. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Microcystis aeruginosa |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/51108 |
