Genomic, transcriptomic and culture-based assessment of UV irradiation effects on phytoplankton viability: applications for ballast water treatment systems

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The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently introduced stringent regulations for the treatment of ballastwater to minimize or eliminate the risk of the introduction of aquatic invasive species via ballast watertransport. Ultra-violet (UV) light irradiation is a useful technology in ballast water treatment systems (BWTSs)for eliminating aquatic species which could be invasive and harmful to humans and the environment. UVdamages DNA and prevents cellular replication, but the vital stain methods mandated in the USCG protocolmay not detect UV damage in phytoplankton. Alternative culture-based measures of reproductive capacity areyet to be approved due to concerns over culture-based species biases (i.e., not all species may grow). Rapid andaccurate assays to identify cells that are UV damaged beyond recovery are critical for the acceptance ofUV-based BWTSs for phytoplankton. Hence we propose to develop high-throughput phytoplankton culturetechnologies and combine them with genomic/transcriptomic approaches to quantify DNA damage and theassociated disruption of gene transcription at key functional gene loci across a range of gene function classes inthe phytoplankton community typically found in ballast water.Trojan Technologies (Trojan), headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada is one of the world's leading watertreatment companies. The products and services provided by Trojan companies play vital roles in makingvarious stages of the water treatment process more effective, efficient and sustainable, ranging from residentialto industrial, municipal and marine applications. The application of UV sterilization technology to BWTSsrepresents a potential global market of >$15 billion (USD). We will partner with Trojan to develop thehigh-throughput culture protocols in concert with advanced meta-genomic and meta-transcriptomic technologyto validate UV sterilization for BWTSs and thus expand Trojan's market on a global scale and provide theshipping industry with a practical, safe and cost-effective ballast water sterilization option.