Research has been integral in our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways responsible for biotoxin production. Its now been more than 20 years since that biosynthetic pathway for microcystin was identified, and from the outset research groups began to investigate the application of this knowledge in developing methods that could enhance and improve on the more traditional cyanobacteria monitoring strategies. Identification of the Nodularin, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin pathways followed which then facilitated the development of additional PCR assays including the Phytoxigene CyanoDTec assay. The overall aim of this assay was to make available a validated and standardised assay that could be used to test the utility of using toxin pathway genes in cyanobacteria (HAB) monitoring programs.
Over the last 10 years, since the availability of the technology the uptake and reliance of the technology as a screening and monitoring tool has varied between countries, states and local environmental groups. The presentation will summarise the data that has been generated over the last 10 years, along with examples on how different environment departments and water authorities are using the technology to monitor and asses risk of toxin producing cyanobacteria both in source water for water utilities and recreational water system.