ERC funding for research on harmful algal blooms

ERC Proof of Concept is for those who have already been granted funding from the ERC and want to explore the innovation potential of their ERC-funded projects. Grant amount: up to 150 000 EUR for a period of up to 18 months.

Fabien Burki’s project will continue the development of an innovative method called TaRGet (for Targeted Recovery of Genomes), which selectively captures microbes directly from the environment inside tiny semi-permeable capsules, so that their genomes can be sequenced. Fabien Burki says that the project has involved a great deal of design, trial and error, and the contribution of many collaborators.

“But the grand vision of this project is simple: give us a species-specific DNA tag, a DNA ”barcode”, and we give you a genome. This grant is the next step forward in achieving our dream.”

The aim is to adapt and deploy TaRGet to study a microbe called Microcystis, which lives in local lakes such as Mälaren. These cyanobacteria cause harmful algal blooms that regularly affect drinking water supplies and recreational areas worldwide.

“We hope for a more precise monitoring of harmful algal blooms, a better understanding of the toxins they produce, and ultimately better strategies to manage these algae, which are predicted to become more common in the future due to global warming”, says Fabien Burki.

Johan Ahlenius