MOLECULAR APPROACHES FOR MONITORING MARINE ORGANISMS IN BALLAST WATER

Abstract

Conventional microscopic method for microorganisms monitoring is tedious, time-consuming and it requires well-trained and disciplined phycologcal investigators. Invention of more quick, accurate and efficient method is necessary to overcome these difficulties. The molecular approaches were carried out to monitor and detect marine organisms in ballast water with ease. The immunochromatography based rapid kit for microalgae detection was developed using monoclonal antibodies raised against a particular protein of Heterocapsa triquetra, a candidate of harmful algal bloom in coast of Korea. About 2 ng of purified synthetic protein which was used as antigen can be detected by this rapid kit. The test for field application is now in progress. The introduction of next generation sequencing method for de novo mRNA sequencing in two microalgal species, Alexandrium tamarense and Cochlodinium polykrikoides, both of which are also the harmful algal bloom candidates is now considered to identify and isolate species-specific bio-molecules to develop rapid detection tool. these difficulties. The molecular approaches were carried out to monitor and detect marine organisms in ballast water with ease. The immunochromatography based rapid kit for microalgae detection was developed using monoclonal antibodies raised against a particular protein of Heterocapsa triquetra, a candidate of harmful algal bloom in coast of Korea. About 2 ng of purified synthetic protein which was used as antigen can be detected by this rapid kit. The test for field application is now in progress. The introduction of next generation sequencing method for de novo mRNA sequencing in two microalgal species, Alexandrium tamarense and Cochlodinium polykrikoides, both of which are also the harmful algal bloom candidates is now considered to identify and isolate species-specific bio-molecules to develop rapid detection tool.