Goodwin, K. D., NOAA, San Diego, USA, kelly.goodwin@noaa.gov

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH APPLICATIONS OF COASTAL OBSERVING SYSTEMS

This presentation will provide an overview of how molecular methods offer the possibility of rapidly identifying multiple genetic signatures with the aim of better protecting human health and coastal resources. Targets of interest include fecal-indicating bacteria, harmful algae, pathogens, source tracking markers, and markers of toxicity or infectivity. Coastal water quality is the main focus of research, although there is growing concern that sand and sediment may also require evaluation. A variety of biosensing approaches (DNA, RNA, immunological) are being explored, and efforts are underway to provide portable and field-deployable biosensors for integration into monitoring programs and into the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Successful integration of biosensors into coastal observing systems requires improvements in the ability to detect nucleic acids in dilute environmental matrices and a better understanding of the molecular microbial diversity of coastal environments.

Oral presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:120
Date: 03-03-2008
Time: 16:45