Clarkson University Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Grant to Develop Sensor for Harmful Algal Blooms

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July 19, 2024

Clarkson University Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Siwen Wang was recently awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) grant to fund a project aimed at developing a rapid and sensitive biosensor for harmful algal blooms (HABs).

HABs caused by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) exhibit enormous threats to human health, animals, and aquatic ecosystems. Climate change and accelerated eutrophication are considered to exaggerate the outbreaks of cyanobacterial HABs. Cyanotoxins released during HABs can cause various negative health effects, from mild skin rashes to serious illnesses. They are usually grouped into hepatotoxins, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, irritants, and gastrointestinal toxins.

The economic impact of HABs is also significant, with an estimated ~$100 million loss annually in the United States, with consideration in public health, commercial fishery, recreation and tourism, and monitoring, management, and mitigation. The frequent and pervasive occurrences of HABs in the United States and worldwide require innovative early detection methods to minimize and mitigate their impact. Traditional monitoring methods only identify toxins after a HAB event has occurred, thus reacting to rather than preventing the outbreak.

Recognizing the urgent need for proactive environmental monitoring strategies, Wang's project will address this critical gap and introduce a transformative approach utilizing a novel biosensing technology, called Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR).

"Leveraging the revolutionary CRISPR technology, the biosensor will have unprecedented sensitivity and specificity for the early warning of HABs, which also has the potential to deliver an affordable and accessible solution for HAB monitoring to different end-users," Wang said.

Wang field tested the biosensor in Lake Neatahwanta in Fulton, NY, and will also conduct field studies on Little Tupper and Lake Oneida.

An early warning detection can provide environmental managers, health officials, and other related governmental departments information to take action on more frequent and thorough testing to guide the recreational use of the affected waterbody, beach closures, and water treatment in a more appropriate timeframe, Wang said. The proposed biosensor can also be easily modified into a lateral flow strip assay, which will have the potential to realize point-of-use testing by residences/community members who are directly affected by HABs and have the most urgent need for such detection.

For more information on Wang's work, visit nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2347207&HistoricalAwards=false.