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Chwan Chuong Chin JJ, Akbar MA, Mohd Yusof NY, Pike A, Goh CT, Mustapha S, Tan LL. Enhancing early warning: A DNA biosensor with polyaniline/graphene nanocomposite for label-free voltammetric detection of saxitoxin-producing harmful algae. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143114. [PMID: 39154772 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Yearly reports of detrimental effects resulting from harmful algal blooms (HAB) are still received in Malaysia and other countries, particularly concerning fish mortality and seafood contamination, both of which bear consequences for the fisheries industry. The underlying reason is the absence of a dependable early warning system. Hence, this research aims to develop a single DNA biosensor that can detect a group of HAB species known for producing saxitoxin (SXT), which is commonly found in Malaysian waters. The screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE)-based DNA biosensor was fabricated by covalent grafting of the 3' aminated DNA probe of the sxtA4 conserved domain in SXT-producing dinoflagellates on the reverse-phase polymerized polyaniline/graphene (PGN) nanocomposite electrode via carbodiimide linkage. The introduction of a carboxyphenyl layer to the PGN nanotransducing element was essential to augment the carboxylic groups on the graphene (RGO), facilitating attachment with the aminated DNA. The synergistic effect of the asynthesized nanocomposite of PANI and RGO, tremendously enhanced the electron transfer rate of the ferri/ferrocyanide redox probe at the SPCE transducer surface, allowing for the label-free bioanalytical assay of complementary DNA targets. The developed DNA biosensor featuring the capacity to detect a broad range of Alexandrium minutum (A. minutum) cell concentrations, ranging from 10 to 10,000,000 cells L-1. The quantification of A. minutum cells from pure algal culture by the electrochemical DNA biosensor has been well-validated with traditional microscopic techniques. Furthermore, Alexandrium tamiyavanichii, another toxigenic HAB species, exhibited a similar electrochemical characteristic signal to those observed with A. minutum, whilst the biosensor yielded appreciably distinctive results when subjected to a non-toxigenic microalgae species as a negative control, i.e. Isochrysis galbana. A compendium DNA biosensor design and electrochemical detection strategy at laboratory scale serves as a precursor to the potential development of portable device for on-site detection, thus expanding the utility and scope of biosensor technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Jason Chwan Chuong Chin
- Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Afiq Akbar
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Aquatic Animal Health and Therapeutics Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Yuziana Mohd Yusof
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Pike
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Choo Ta Goh
- Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Shuhadah Mustapha
- Department of Fisheries Sabah, Wisma Pertanian Sabah, Jalan Tasik, 88624, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Ling Ling Tan
- Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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Huang HL, Luo NJ, Chen WZ, Wang XW, Zhou CX, Jiang HB. A highly specific and ultrasensitive approach to detect Prymnesium parvum based on RPA-CRISPR-LbaCas12a-LFD system. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1315:342797. [PMID: 38879209 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Harmful algal blooms (HABs), caused by the rapid proliferation or aggregation of microorganisms, are catastrophic for the environment. The Prymnesium parvum is a haptophyte algal species that is found worldwide and is responsible for extensive blooms and death of larval amphibians and bivalves, causing serious negative impacts on the ecological environment. For the prevention and management of environmental pollution, it is crucial to explore and develop early detection strategies for HABs on-site using simple methods. The major challenge related to early detection is the accurate and sensitive detection of algae present in low abundance. RESULTS Herein, recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was combined with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and Cas12a protein (CRISPR-LbaCas12a) systems, and the lateral flow dipstick (LFD) was used for the first time for early detection of P. parvum. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of P. parvum was selected as the target sequence, and the concentration of single-strand DNA reporters, buffer liquid system, reaction time, and amount of gold particles were optimized. The RPA-CRISPR-LbaCas12a-LFD approach demonstrated highly specificity during experimental testing, with no cross-reaction against different microalgae used as controls. In addition, the lowest detection limit was 10,000 times better than the lowest detection limit of the standalone RPA approach. The feasibility and robustness of this approach were further verified by using the different environmental samples. It also observed that P. parvum are widely distributed in Chinese Sea, but the cell density of P. parvum is relatively low (<0.1 cells/mL). SIGNIFICANCE The developed approach has an excellent specificity and offers 10,000 times better sensitivity than the standalone RPA approach. These advantages make this approach suitable for early warning detection and prevention of HAB events in environmental water. Also, the outcomes of this study could promote a shift from traditional laboratory-based detection to on-site monitoring, facilitating early warning against HABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Long Huang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Ning-Jian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Wei-Zhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Xing-Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Cheng-Xu Zhou
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Hai-Bo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519080, China.
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Hu H, Liu L, Wei XY, Duan JJ, Deng JY, Pei DS. Revolutionizing aquatic eco-environmental monitoring: Utilizing the RPA-Cas-FQ detection platform for zooplankton. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172414. [PMID: 38631624 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The integration of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with CRISPR/Cas technology has revolutionized molecular diagnostics and pathogen detection due to its unparalleled sensitivity and trans-cleavage ability. However, its potential in the ecological and environmental monitoring scenarios for aquatic ecosystems remains largely unexplored, particularly in accurate qualitative/quantitative detection, and its actual performance in handling complex real environmental samples. Using zooplankton as a model, we have successfully optimized the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a fluorescence detection platform (RPA-Cas-FQ), providing several crucial "technical tips". Our findings indicate the sensitivity of CRISPR/Cas12a alone is 5 × 109 copies/reaction, which can be dramatically increased to 5 copies/reaction when combined with RPA. The optimized RPA-Cas-FQ enables reliable qualitative and semi-quantitative detection within 50 min, and exhibits a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and DNA concentration (R2 = 0.956-0.974***). Additionally, we developed a rapid and straightforward identification procedure for single zooplankton by incorporating heat-lysis and DNA-barcode techniques. We evaluated the platform's effectiveness using real environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from the Three Gorges Reservoir, confirming its practicality. The eDNA-RPA-Cas-FQ demonstrated strong consistency (Kappa = 0.43***) with eDNA-Metabarcoding in detecting species presence/absence in the reservoir. Furthermore, the two semi-quantitative eDNA technologies showed a strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.58-0.87***). This platform also has the potential to monitor environmental pollutants by selecting appropriate indicator species. The novel insights and methodologies presented in this study represent a significant advancement in meeting the complex needs of aquatic ecosystem protection and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Hu
- Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China; Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chongqing School of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Xing-Yi Wei
- Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China; Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chongqing School of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Jin-Jing Duan
- Chongqing Miankai Biotechnology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Chongqing 400025, China; School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jiao-Yun Deng
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Stein ED, Jerde CL, Allan EA, Sepulveda AJ, Abbott CL, Baerwald MR, Darling J, Goodwin KD, Meyer RS, Timmers MA, Thielen PM. Critical considerations for communicating environmental DNA science. ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2024; 6:1-12. [PMID: 38784600 PMCID: PMC11110536 DOI: 10.1002/edn3.472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The economic and methodological efficiencies of environmental DNA (eDNA) based survey approaches provide an unprecedented opportunity to assess and monitor aquatic environments. However, instances of inadequate communication from the scientific community about confidence levels, knowledge gaps, reliability, and appropriate parameters of eDNA-based methods have hindered their uptake in environmental monitoring programs and, in some cases, has created misperceptions or doubts in the management community. To help remedy this situation, scientists convened a session at the Second National Marine eDNA Workshop to discuss strategies for improving communications with managers. These include articulating the readiness of different eDNA applications, highlighting the strengths and limitations of eDNA tools for various applications or use cases, communicating uncertainties associated with specified uses transparently, and avoiding the exaggeration of exploratory and preliminary findings. Several key messages regarding implementation, limitations, and relationship to existing methods were prioritized. To be inclusive of the diverse managers, practitioners, and researchers, we and the other workshop participants propose the development of communication workflow plans, using RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) charts to clarify the roles of all pertinent individuals and parties and to minimize the chance for miscommunications. We also propose developing decision support tools such as Structured Decision-Making (SDM) to help balance the benefits of eDNA sampling with the inherent uncertainty, and developing an eDNA readiness scale to articulate the technological readiness of eDNA approaches for specific applications. These strategies will increase clarity and consistency regarding our understanding of the utility of eDNA-based methods, improve transparency, foster a common vision for confidently applying eDNA approaches, and enhance their benefit to the monitoring and assessment community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D Stein
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Christopher L Jerde
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | | | - Adam J Sepulveda
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | | | - Melinda R Baerwald
- Division of Integrated Science and Engineering, California Department of Water Resources, West Sacramento, California, USA
| | - John Darling
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Genomics Branch, Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kelly D Goodwin
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA Ocean Exploration, Stationed at SWFSC/NMFS, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Rachel S Meyer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Molly A Timmers
- Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, USA
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Peter M Thielen
- Research and Exploratory Development Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, USA
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Pinto A, Botelho MJ, Churro C, Asselman J, Pereira P, Pereira JL. A review on aquatic toxins - Do we really know it all regarding the environmental risk posed by phytoplankton neurotoxins? JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118769. [PMID: 37597370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic toxins are potent natural toxins produced by certain cyanobacteria and marine algae species during harmful cyanobacterial and algal blooms (CyanoHABs and HABs, respectively). These harmful bloom events and the toxins produced during these events are a human and environmental health concern worldwide, with occurrence, frequency and severity of CyanoHABs and HABs being predicted to keep increasing due to ongoing climate change scenarios. These contexts, as well as human health consequences of some toxins produced during bloom events have been thoroughly reviewed before. Conversely, the wider picture that includes the non-human biota in the assessment of noxious effects of toxins is much less covered in the literature and barely covered by review works. Despite direct human exposure to aquatic toxins and related deleterious effects being responsible for the majority of the public attention to the blooms' problematic, it constitutes a very limited fraction of the real environmental risk posed by these toxins. The disruption of ecological and trophic interactions caused by these toxins in the aquatic biota building on deleterious effects they may induce in different species is paramount as a modulator of the overall magnitude of the environmental risk potentially involved, thus necessarily constraining the quality and efficiency of the management strategies that should be placed. In this way, this review aims at updating and consolidating current knowledge regarding the adverse effects of aquatic toxins, attempting to going beyond their main toxicity pathways in human and related models' health, i.e., also focusing on ecologically relevant model organisms. For conciseness and considering the severity in terms of documented human health risks as a reference, we restricted the detailed revision work to neurotoxic cyanotoxins and marine toxins. This comprehensive revision of the systemic effects of aquatic neurotoxins provides a broad overview of the exposure and the hazard that these compounds pose to human and environmental health. Regulatory approaches they are given worldwide, as well as (eco)toxicity data available were hence thoroughly reviewed. Critical research gaps were identified particularly regarding (i) the toxic effects other than those typical of the recognized disease/disorder each toxin causes following acute exposure in humans and also in other biota; and (ii) alternative detection tools capable of being early-warning signals for aquatic toxins occurrence and therefore provide better human and environmental safety insurance. Future directions on aquatic toxins research are discussed in face of the existent knowledge, with particular emphasis on the much-needed development and implementation of effective alternative (eco)toxicological biomarkers for these toxins. The wide-spanning approach followed herein will hopefully stimulate future research more broadly addressing the environmental hazardous potential of aquatic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albano Pinto
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Botelho
- IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Catarina Churro
- IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge Building, Ostend Science Park 1, 8400, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
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Pal P, Anand U, Saha SC, Sundaramurthy S, Okeke ES, Kumar M, Radha, Bontempi E, Albertini E, Dey A, Di Maria F. Novel CRISPR/Cas technology in the realm of algal bloom biomonitoring: Recent trends and future perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:115989. [PMID: 37119838 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In conjunction with global climate change, progressive ocean warming, and acclivity in pollution and anthropogenic eutrophication, the incidence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) continue to expand in distribution, frequency, and magnitude. Algal bloom-related toxins have been implicated in human health disorders and ecological dysfunction and are detrimental to the national and global economy. Biomonitoring programs based on traditional monitoring protocols were characterised by some limitations that can be efficiently overdone using the CRISPR/Cas technology. In the present review, the potential and challenges of exploiting the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas technology for early detection of HABs and CHABs-associated toxigenic species were analysed. Based on more than 30 scientific papers, the main results indicate the great potential of CRISPR/Cas technology for this issue, even if the high sensitivity detected for the Cas12 and Cas13 platforms represents a possible interference risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pracheta Pal
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Uttpal Anand
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 8499000, Israel
| | - Suchismita Chatterjee Saha
- Department of Zoology, Nabadwip Vidyasagar College (affiliated to the University of Kalyani), Nabadwip, West Bengal, 741302, India
| | - Suresh Sundaramurthy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, 462003, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Emmanuel Sunday Okeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences & Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, 410001, Nigeria; Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., 212013, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division, ICAR - Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Radha
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Elza Bontempi
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Emidio Albertini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, West Bengal, India.
| | - Francesco Di Maria
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93, 06125, Perugia, Italy.
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Wang L, Chen X, Pan F, Yao G, Chen J. Development of a rapid detection method for Karenia mikimotoi by using CRISPR-Cas12a. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1205765. [PMID: 37608945 PMCID: PMC10440436 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1205765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs), mainly formed by dinoflagellates, have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems and public health. Therefore, detecting HABs is crucial for early warning and prevention of HABs as well as the mitigation of their adverse effects. Although various methods, such as light microscopy, electron microscopy, real-time PCR, and microarrays, have already been established for the detection of HABs, they are still cumbersome to be exploited in the field. Therefore, rapid nucleic detection methods such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-lateral flow dipstick (LFD) have been developed for monitoring bloom-forming algae. However, the CRISPR/Cas-based detection of HABs has yet to be applied to this field. In this study, we developed a method for detecting Karenia mikimotoi (K. mikimotoi), a typical ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate responsible for global blooms. Our method utilized Cas12a from Lachnospiraceae bacterium ND2006 (LbCas12a) to target and cleave the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of K. mikimotoi, guided by RNA. We leveraged the target-activated non-specific single-stranded deoxyribonuclease cleavage activity of LbCas12a to generate signals that can be detected using fluorescence-read machines or LFDs. By combining RPA and LbCas12a with reporters, we significantly enhanced the sensitivity, enabling the detection of ITS-harboring plasmids at concentrations as low as 9.8 aM and genomic DNA of K. mikimotoi at levels as low as 3.6 × 10-5 ng/μl. Moreover, we simplified the genomic DNA extraction method using cellulose filter paper (CFP) by directly eluting the DNA into RPA reactions, reducing the extraction time to < 30 s. The entire process, from genomic DNA extraction to result reporting, takes less than an hour, enabling the identification of nearly a single cell. In conclusion, our method provided an easy, specific, and sensitive approach for detecting K. mikimotoi, offering the potential for efficient monitoring and management of K. mikimotoi blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyao Chen
- Fishery Resources Monitoring Center of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Feifei Pan
- Fishery Resources Monitoring Center of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guangshan Yao
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianming Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, China
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Durán-Vinet B, Araya-Castro K, Zaiko A, Pochon X, Wood SA, Stanton JAL, Jeunen GJ, Scriver M, Kardailsky A, Chao TC, Ban DK, Moarefian M, Aran K, Gemmell NJ. CRISPR-Cas-Based Biomonitoring for Marine Environments: Toward CRISPR RNA Design Optimization Via Deep Learning. CRISPR J 2023; 6:316-324. [PMID: 37439822 PMCID: PMC10494903 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost all of Earth's oceans are now impacted by multiple anthropogenic stressors, including the spread of nonindigenous species, harmful algal blooms, and pathogens. Early detection is critical to manage these stressors effectively and to protect marine systems and the ecosystem services they provide. Molecular tools have emerged as a promising solution for marine biomonitoring. One of the latest advancements involves utilizing CRISPR-Cas technology to build programmable, rapid, ultrasensitive, and specific diagnostics. CRISPR-based diagnostics (CRISPR-Dx) has the potential to allow robust, reliable, and cost-effective biomonitoring in near real time. However, several challenges must be overcome before CRISPR-Dx can be established as a mainstream tool for marine biomonitoring. A critical unmet challenge is the need to design, optimize, and experimentally validate CRISPR-Dx assays. Artificial intelligence has recently been presented as a potential approach to tackle this challenge. This perspective synthesizes recent advances in CRISPR-Dx and machine learning modeling approaches, showcasing CRISPR-Dx potential to progress as a rising molecular tool candidate for marine biomonitoring applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Durán-Vinet
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Karla Araya-Castro
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Anastasija Zaiko
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Sequench Ltd, Nelson, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Xavier Pochon
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Susanna A. Wood
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jo-Ann L. Stanton
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Gert-Jan Jeunen
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Michelle Scriver
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Anya Kardailsky
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Tzu-Chiao Chao
- Institute of Environmental Change and Society, Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Canada; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Deependra K. Ban
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, California, USA; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Maryam Moarefian
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, California, USA; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kiana Aran
- Keck Graduate Institute, The Claremont Colleges, Claremont, California, USA; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Cardea Bio Inc., San Diego, California, USA; and Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Neil J. Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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Machuca-Sepúlveda J, Miranda J, Lefin N, Pedroso A, Beltrán JF, Farias JG. Current Status of Omics in Biological Quality Elements for Freshwater Biomonitoring. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:923. [PMID: 37508354 PMCID: PMC10376755 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems have been experiencing various forms of threats, mainly since the last century. The severity of this adverse scenario presents unprecedented challenges to human health, water supply, agriculture, forestry, ecological systems, and biodiversity, among other areas. Despite the progress made in various biomonitoring techniques tailored to specific countries and biotic communities, significant constraints exist, particularly in assessing and quantifying biodiversity and its interplay with detrimental factors. Incorporating modern techniques into biomonitoring methodologies presents a challenging topic with multiple perspectives and assertions. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the contemporary advancements in freshwater biomonitoring, specifically by utilizing omics methodologies such as genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and multi-omics. The present study aims to elucidate the rationale behind the imperative need for modernization in this field. This will be achieved by presenting case studies, examining the diverse range of organisms that have been studied, and evaluating the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with the utilization of these methodologies. The utilization of advanced high-throughput bioinformatics techniques represents a sophisticated approach that necessitates a significant departure from the conventional practices of contemporary freshwater biomonitoring. The significant contributions of omics techniques in the context of biological quality elements (BQEs) and their interpretations in ecological problems are crucial for biomonitoring programs. Such contributions are primarily attributed to the previously overlooked identification of interactions between different levels of biological organization and their responses, isolated and combined, to specific critical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Machuca-Sepúlveda
- Doctoral Program on Natural Resources Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar, 01145, P.O. Box 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Javiera Miranda
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Nicolás Lefin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Alejandro Pedroso
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Jorge F Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Jorge G Farias
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
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Microfluidics: the propellant of CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:557-574. [PMID: 35989112 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of collateral cleavage activity, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas systems have become the new generation of nucleic acid detection tools. However, their widespread application remains limited. A pre-amplification step is required to improve the sensitivity of CRISPR systems, complicating the operating procedure and limiting quantitative precision. In addition, nonspecific collateral cleavage activity makes it difficult to realize multiplex detection in a one-pot CRISPR reaction with a single Cas protein. Microfluidics, which can transfer nucleic acid analysis process to a chip, has the advantages of miniaturization, integration, and automation. Microfluidics coupled with CRISPR systems improves the detection ability of CRISPR, enabling fast, high-throughput, integrated, multiplex, and digital detection, which results in the further popularization of CRISPR for a range of scenarios.
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Agathokleous E, Peñuelas J, Azevedo RA, Rillig MC, Sun H, Calabrese EJ. Low Levels of Contaminants Stimulate Harmful Algal Organisms and Enrich Their Toxins. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11991-12002. [PMID: 35968681 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A widespread increase in intense phytoplankton blooms has been noted in lakes worldwide since the 1980s, with the summertime peak intensity amplifying in most lakes. Such blooms cause annual economic losses of multibillion USD and present a major challenge, affecting 11 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here, we evaluate recent scientific evidence for hormetic effects of emerging contaminants and regulated pollutants on Microcystis sp., the most notorious cyanobacteria forming harmful algal blooms and releasing phycotoxins in eutrophic freshwater systems. This new evidence leads to the conclusion that pollution is linked to algal bloom intensification. Concentrations of contaminants that are considerably smaller than the threshold for toxicity enhance the formation of harmful colonies, increase the production of phycotoxins and their release into the environment, and lower the efficacy of algaecides to control algal blooms. The low-dose enhancement of microcystins is attributed to the up-regulation of a protein controlling microcystin release (McyH) and various microcystin synthetases in tandem with the global nitrogen regulator Ycf28, nonribosomal peptide synthetases, and several ATP-binding cassette transport proteins. Given that colony formation and phycotoxin production and release are enhanced by contaminant concentrations smaller than the toxicological threshold and are widely occurring in the environment, the effect of contaminants on harmful algal blooms is more prevalent than previously thought. Climate change and nutrient enrichment, known mechanisms underpinning algal blooms, are thus joined by low-level pollutants as another causal mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Catalonia 08193, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia 08193, Spain
| | - Ricardo A Azevedo
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz"/Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Avenida Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, São Paulo, São Paulo 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Matthias C Rillig
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Haoyu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Morrill I, N344, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Durán-Vinet B, Araya-Castro K, Calderón J, Vergara L, Weber H, Retamales J, Araya-Castro P, Leal-Rojas P. CRISPR/Cas13-Based Platforms for a Potential Next-Generation Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer through Exosomes Micro-RNA Detection: A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4640. [PMID: 34572866 PMCID: PMC8466426 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer with the second highest mortality rate worldwide. CRC is a heterogenous disease with multiple risk factors associated, including obesity, smoking, and use of alcohol. Of total CRC cases, 60% are diagnosed in late stages, where survival can drop to about 10%. CRC screening programs are based primarily on colonoscopy, yet this approach is invasive and has low patient adherence. Therefore, there is a strong incentive for developing molecular-based methods that are minimally invasive and have higher patient adherence. Recent reports have highlighted the importance of extracellular vesicles (EVs), specifically exosomes, as intercellular communication vehicles with a broad cargo, including micro-RNAs (miRNAs). These have been syndicated as robust candidates for diagnosis, primarily for their known activities in cancer cells, including immunoevasion, tumor progression, and angiogenesis, whereas miRNAs are dysregulated by cancer cells and delivered by cancer-derived exosomes (CEx). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has shown good results detecting specific cancer-derived exosome micro-RNAs (CEx-miRNAs) associated with CRC, but qPCR also has several challenges, including portability and sensitivity/specificity issues regarding experiment design and sample quality. CRISPR/Cas-based platforms have been presented as cost-effective, ultrasensitive, specific, and robust clinical detection tools in the presence of potential inhibitors and capable of delivering quantitative and qualitative real-time data for enhanced decision-making to healthcare teams. Thereby, CRISPR/Cas13-based technologies have become a potential strategy for early CRC diagnosis detecting CEx-miRNAs. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas13-based platforms' ease of use, scalability, and portability also showcase them as a potential point-of-care (POC) technology for CRC early diagnosis. This study presents two potential CRISPR/Cas13-based methodologies with a proposed panel consisting of four CEx-miRNAs, including miR-126, miR-1290, miR-23a, and miR-940, to streamline novel applications which may deliver a potential early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Durán-Vinet
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (B.D.-V.); (K.A.-C.); (H.W.)
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Biomedicine and Translational Research Laboratory, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile;
| | - Karla Araya-Castro
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (B.D.-V.); (K.A.-C.); (H.W.)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (iDEAUFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
| | - Juan Calderón
- Center for Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine (ICIM), Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Luis Vergara
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Biomedicine and Translational Research Laboratory, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile;
- Doctoral Program in Cell and Applied Molecular Biology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
| | - Helga Weber
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (B.D.-V.); (K.A.-C.); (H.W.)
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Biomedicine and Translational Research Laboratory, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile;
| | - Javier Retamales
- Chilean Cooperative Group for Oncologic Research (GOCCHI), Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Paulina Araya-Castro
- School of Medicine, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Pamela Leal-Rojas
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (B.D.-V.); (K.A.-C.); (H.W.)
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Biomedicine and Translational Research Laboratory, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile;
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
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