Cyanosense
Why Our Waterways Matter
The waterways in Austin, TX are central to our city's identity. From kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, relaxing along Barton Creek, or taking dogs out for a swim, these spaces bring people together and provide habitats for local wildlife. In recent years, however, harmful algal blooms have disrupted these environments. Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can produce microcystins, which are potent toxins that can threaten the health of humans, pets, and wildlife. This issue has already impacted how residents enjoy their lakes and creeks, presenting an urgent challenge at the intersection of public health and environmental sustainability.
MC-LR Toxicity and Impact on Our Waterways
In 2023, Austin's lakes, including Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin, were ranked among the top 10 worst places globally for toxic algae blooms ¹. Yet these waterways remain central to Austin’s identity and daily life, drawing an estimated 5 million visitors each year to Lady Bird Lake alone for recreation, fitness, and community gatherings 2. This heavy reliance on the lakes makes the rise of harmful algal blooms more than just an environmental issue. Harmful algal blooms pose a direct threat to public health, recreation, and Austin’s way of life, which is exactly why there is an urgent need for solutions to protect them.
Some blooms release microcystins, toxic compounds that can accumulate in the water and cause lasting harm to people, pets, and wildlife. The concern is heightened because these toxins are difficult to detect without testing and can persist even after the algae themselves are gone. Since 2019, several dogs in Austin have died 3 after swimming in waterways contaminated with toxic blue-green algae, further highlighting the serious risk these blooms pose.
Our Sensor
To address this serious problem, our project, Cyanosense, applies synthetic biology to create a sensor capable of identifying and mitigating the impact of these toxins. By modifying a naturally competent bacterium, we aim to create an effective system that is cost-effective and doesn’t require specialized lab equipment, making continuous monitoring and mitigation of harmful algal blooms more accessible to communities.
Implimentations
Our team is addressing harmful microcystins in water by engineering Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 to both detect and break down these toxins. We’re designing a DNA-based biosensor that fluoresces when microcystins are present, providing a warning for toxic blooms. To degrade toxins, we are incorporating the mlrA and mlrD genes, which encode enzymes capable of degrading microcystins. Finally, to test and improve our system, we are looking into whether ADP1 can produce microcystins itself by taking up the large mcy gene cluster from cyanobacteria, helping us better understand the ADP1’s potential for synthetic biology applications.
