Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae (BGA), may produce neurotoxins that are destructive to nervous tissue (Cox et al., 2003). Beta-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxic, non-proteinogenic, amino acid released from cyanobacteria, which has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease (AD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Murch et al., 2004). This study analyzed water sample to identify cyanobacteria from Lake Erie and show bioaccumulation of BMAA produced by BGA in Danio rerio (zebrafish). Water samples collected from Lake Erie were analyzed and two kinds of BGA were identified: Chroococcus and Microcystis. Zebrafish were co-cultured with chroococcus for five weeks. Zebrafish and water samples were prepared to be analyzed using a competitive ELISA. Results from the ELISA (pending) will be helpful in understanding the production and bioaccumulation of algal toxins. The next step may be to analyze bioaccumulation of BMAA in apex predator species such as sharks.
