<p>The overall aim of our project to reduce or even eradicate the harmful effects of algal blooms. We aim to do this by making a GMO which can degrade Microcystin; a toxin produced by cyanobacteria. Microcystin is not only toxic to the immediate environment, but also to humans, domestic animals, and livestock. These algal blooms are mainly in regions where there is a high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. This promotes more algal growth than the ecosystem can handle therefore there is an overpopulation of algae which can increase the concentration of toxins (such as Microcystin) in the water. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic and due to their genus being very diverse, they’re able to occur in many different types of water such as marine and estuarine water.</p> | <p>The overall aim of our project to reduce or even eradicate the harmful effects of algal blooms. We aim to do this by making a GMO which can degrade Microcystin; a toxin produced by cyanobacteria. Microcystin is not only toxic to the immediate environment, but also to humans, domestic animals, and livestock. These algal blooms are mainly in regions where there is a high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. This promotes more algal growth than the ecosystem can handle therefore there is an overpopulation of algae which can increase the concentration of toxins (such as Microcystin) in the water. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic and due to their genus being very diverse, they’re able to occur in many different types of water such as marine and estuarine water.</p> | 
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