EEB SEMINAR

René S. Shahmohamadloo from Guelph University

The toxicology of microcystins in freshwater organisms of the Great Lakes 

Feb 4th 12:30-1:30pm ET

Harmful algal blooms dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa are causing ecological and socio-economic disturbances to freshwater ecosystems, in particular the Great Lakes, through the production of microcystin toxins, which can cause disease-related effects in freshwater organisms. This presentation investigates the mechanisms of microcystin toxicity to freshwater organisms of the Great Lakes and assesses the human health risks from consuming fish exposed to cyanobacterial blooms. Using state-of-the-art, quantitative techniques (e.g., targeted and nontargeted LC-QTOF MS to measure microcystins in tissues and proteomics) I further describe, for the first time, toxicological impacts from microcystin exposure to pelagic and benthic invertebrates, as well as fish species humans enjoy including in their diets.