MOLECULAR TOOLS APPLIED TO THE STUDY OF MICROCYSTIN-PRODUCING CYANOBACTERIA IN BELGIAN WATERBODIES

‘Blooms’, an increasing worldwide phenomenon, are adversely affecting surface water resource, including reservoirs and lakes, used for drinking water supplies, recreation, crop, irrigation and fisheries. These amenities are affected by recurrent mass proliferations of cyanobacteria. The latter are responsible for the production of a wide range of bioactive compounds, including potent toxins (cyanotoxins). These comprise neurotoxins, cytotoxins, inflammatory agents, and hepatotoxins. Microcystins (MCs), hepatotoxins and tumour promoters are the most documented of the cyanotoxins. The microcysti... Mehr ...