Project 1141:  Guidance for integration of gene testing in cyanobacterial management

Join the research team behind Project 1141 for a knowledge sharing event to learn about the outcomes of this project

Cyanobacterial blooms are a global water quality concern that affects drinking water, recreational areas, and irrigation systems. These blooms not only cause ecological disruption and unpleasant water aesthetics, but also produce harmful toxins that pose serious health risks to humans and animals. 

Traditional methods for assessing bloom toxicity, such as cell counting and direct toxin detection, have limitations in cost, accuracy, and timeliness. 

The research, led by Assistant Professor Aaron Jex at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), highlights the potential of using molecular methods to detect and quantify cyanotoxin biosynthesis genes more efficiently and accurately. This approach offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, rapid turnaround times, and enhanced ability to forecast bloom toxicity.

Despite the proven benefits of these molecular methods, they are not yet widely adopted in routine cyanobacteria management due to a lack of standardised guidelines for interpreting gene detection results within current risk assessment frameworks.

This event provides an opportunity to learn more about the project outcomes, particularly the proven benefits (both operational and economic) of molecular diagnostics in cyanobacteria management, and how they can be adopted in routine testing alongside traditional diagnostic methods. Attendees will see a demonstration of the costing analysis that can be used to support in-house decisions on whether in invest in molecular diagnostic tools for cyanobacteria management.

This event is FREE and exclusively for WaterRA members. We encourage our Utility members to attend.

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