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Biocontrol of Harmful Algal Blooms
About the project
This project explores the use of algicidal bacteria isolated from natural environments for biocontrol of harmful algal blooms (HABs), excessive growth of toxin-producing dinoflagellates, diatoms or cyanobacteria. HABs pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems and seafood safety by producing natural toxins that accumulate in shellfish such as mussels. In Iceland, HAB events have hindered the development of mussel farming, mainly due to toxins produced by the dinoflagellates Alexandrium, and Dinophysis, and the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia.
In the project, samples will be taken at and near mussel farming sites and screened for natural antagonists, such as grazers, parasites, and algicidal bacteria. They will be identified, isolated and studied through microscopic observation, meta-barcoding, and in vitro culturing, aiming to explore interactions between HABs and antagonists, with a focus on potential biological control methods. Alongside these experiments, the composition of the bloom-associated microbiota will be assessed and monitored using eDNA metabarcoding methods over a two-year period. Also, selected strains from the University of Akureyri culture collection of environmental bacteria will be screened for algicidal activity and promising candidates will be characterized further and assessed as potential biocontrol agents. Findings are expected to support innovative ecological strategies for managing harmful blooms and protecting aquaculture in Icelandic waters.
The project is part of an international network of PhD projects, funded by the European Commission‘s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action: PHABB (Pathogens of Algae for Biosecurity and Biocontrol), which will afford the PhD candidate valuable opportunities to expand their expertise through secondments and workshops on relevant topics.
PhD candidate
- Alexandra Georganti Ntaliape, PhD student at UNAk
Doctoral committee
- Oddur Þór Vilhelmsson, professor at UNAk – Main supervisor
- Bettina Scholtz, expert on algae and their cultivation at BioPol ehf – Co-supervisor
- M. Auður Sigurbjörnsdóttir, associate professor at UNAk – Co-supervisor
- Justyna Wolinska, professor at the Leibniz-Institut für Gewasserökologie und Binnenfischerei – Co-supervisor
- Hans-Peter Grossart, professor at the Leibniz-Institut für Gewasserökologie und Binnenfischerei – Co-supervisor
Collaborating partners
The project is part of the network PHABB (PatHogens of Algae for Biocontrol and Biosecurity), funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie-Action within Horizon Europe. Along with UnAk, the following are members of the network:
- Claire Gachon, professor at the Musée national d'histoire naturelle des États-Unis in Paris, network leader
- Pieter van West, professor at the University of Aberdeen
- Justyna Wolinska, professor at the Leibniz-Institut für Gewasserökologie und Binnenfischerei
- Javier Dieguez-Uribeondo, scientist at the Real jardin botanico in Madrid
- Dedmer van de Waal, professor at the Nederlands instituut voor ecologie in Wageningen
- Yacine Badis, assistant professor at the Sorbonne University Station biologique de Roscoff
- Massimiliano Fenice, professor at the Univerità degli Studi della Tuscia
- Sigrid Neuhauser, professor at Universität Innsbruck
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