New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Short communication
DNA probes, targeting large sub-unit rRNA, for the rapid identification of the paralytic shellfish poison producing dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium catenatum

Lesley Rhodes
Kirsty Smith

Cawthron Institute
Private Bag 2
Nelson, New Zealand

Miguel de Salas

Department of Plant Sciences
University of Tasmania
GPO Box 252–55
Hobart, Australia

Abstract The dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum was first observed in New Zealand at Manukau Harbour on the west coast of the North Island in May 2000. At that time, a strong correlation was evident between the micro-algal bloom and the occurrence of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSP) in shellfish. This paper describes the design and testing of oligonucletide probes targeting the large sub-unit (LSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of G. catenatum. The probes were developed in fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and sandwich hybridisation assay (SHA) format to rapidly differentiate the target PSP producer from non-toxic look-alike dinoflagellates. Specificity was affirmed by testing the probes against dinoflagellate and flagellate isolates.

Keywords fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH); sandwich hybridisation assay (SHA); harmful algal blooms; oligonucleotide probes

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2007, Vol. 41: 385–390
0028–8330/07/4104–0385     © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007
M07032; Online publication date 27 November 2007;
Received 27 June; accepted 12 September 2007

 

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