Cell and molecular biology methods

Laboratories are fully equiped for complex studies of biology and ecotoxicology of cyanobacteria and their toxins. Major research focuses on:

• understanding biochemical mechanisms of cellular toxicity
• studies of early changes in biochemical parameters (biomarkers)
• research of molecular basis of cyanotoxin carcinogenicity

Research of cell cultures is available in sterile boxes (Bioair Aura) but routine cultivation boxes and incubators are available both for phytoplankton and other model organisms (e.g. Sanyo Biomedical).

Molecular biological research uses electrophoretic system QWL, PCR cyclers Thermo and quantitative real time PCR Corbett Rotor Gene. Cell culture laboratories are equipped with microscopes from Zeiss. 

Research of biomarkers uses microplate analyzers of spectrofotometry, fluorescence as well as luminometry (Labsystems Luminoscan).

Selected references:

• Bernardova, K., Babica, P., Marsalek, B., Blaha, L. (2008): Isolation and endotoxin activities of lipopolysaccharides from cyanobacterial cultures and complex water blooms and comparison with effects of heterotrophic bacteria and green alga. Journal of Applied Toxicology 28(1): 72-77.
• Babica, P., Hilscherova, K., Bartova, K., Blaha, L., Marsalek, B. (2007): Effects of dissolved microcystins on growth of planktonic photoautotrophs. Phycologia 46(2): 137-142.
• Buryskova, B., Hilscherova, K., Babica, P., Vrskova, D., Marsalek, B., Blaha, L. (2006): Toxicity of complex cyanobacterial samples and their fractions  in Xenopus laevis embryos and the role of microcystins. Aquatic Toxicology 80(4): 346-354.