Técnicas moleculares para la detección de cianobacterias en los embalses Riogrande II y La Fe, Colombia

Abstract

Use of molecular techniques for the detection of cyanobacteria in the reservoirs Riogrande II y La Fe, Colombia. In this work, we used two molecular techniques to detect genes that are present in cyanobacteria strains that are potentially toxic and also to evaluate the molecular diversity of cyanobacteria in water samples from the reservoirs Riogrande II and La Fe, Antioquia, Colombia, two reservoirs that have been used for potabilization of drinking water for the metropolitan area of Medellin city. Between 2010 and 2011 collections of twelve water samples were taken in this two localities and DNA extraction together with PCR and DGGE analyses where carried out. We amplified sequences between 250-300 pb of the genes mcyA and mcyE, implied in the toxicity of cyanobacteria. Moreover, sequence amplifications of the 16S small ribosomal RNA subunit – 16S rRNA- between 400-800 bp were also performed in order to use them for the DGGE technique. The amplification products were analysed in polyacrilamide gels from which the scanned images of the gel were analysed with the software GelCompar II. Here, we demonstrated the utility of the molecular techniques mentioned above in studies related to search genes associated to toxicity and molecular diversity of cyanobacteria in these reservoirs used for potabilization or urban centres.