Project
Phormidium blooms periodically in streams, typically during influxes of high nutrients. In some cases these blooms produce harmful anatoxins. This study aims to increase our understanding of how Phormidium biofilms develop during eutrophication events. We are using proteogenomics (coupled metagenomics and metaproteomics) to investigate activity during biofilm formation and mechanisms of nutrient acquisition.
Team members
- Hwee Sze Tee, PhD student
- Dr. Susie Wood, Cawthron Institute
- Martin Middleditch and Dr. Leo Payne, Mass Spectrometry Centre, University of Auckland
Wai-iti River during benthic cyanobacterial bloom event 
Mature Microcoleus biofilm