New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Oligonucleotide probe technology as applied to the study of harmful algal blooms

JOHN V. TYRRELL
PATRICIA R. BERGQUIST+

Centre for Marine Science
School of Biological Sciences
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland, New Zealand

DAVID J. SAUL

Centre for Gene Technology
School of Biological Sciences
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland, New Zealand

LINCOLN MACKENZIE

Cawthron Institute
Private Bag 2
Nelson, New Zealand

PETER L. BERGQUIST

School of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University
Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
and
Department of Molecular Medicine
School of Medicine
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract  Harmful algal bloom (HAB) research and monitoring has traditionally been based on ecological and microbiological measurements which are laborious, time-consuming, and reliant on experienced operators. Recent developments in oligonucleotide probe technology and immunofluorescence research have revealed several potential applications and techniques that may be transposable to laboratory and field-based monitoring and research. Field trials are currently underway for fluorescent in situ hybridisation and sandwich hybridisation assays. The former is particularly suited for laboratory-based research on harmful algal bloom (HAB) population dynamics and structure, whereas the sandwich hybridisation assays based on a portable robotics workstation, offers the potential of quick and reliable laboratory and possibly field-based screening for HAB species. Initial development is underway for molecular beacons and the Qß replicase detection system, both offer the potential of simple and cost effective strategies for field-based monitoring by people with minimal knowledge of molecular biology.

Keywords  oligonucleotide probes; harmful algal blooms; fluorescent in situ hybridisation; sandwich hybridisation assays; Qß replicase detection; molecular beacons

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1997, Vol. 31: 551-560

0028-8330/97/3104-0551 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1997

Review

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (883K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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