The prevalence of allergic diseases is rapidly increasing worldwide, causing more suffering, higher medical costs, and workdays lost.

While allergens in the terrestrial environment are well studied, the aquatic environment allergens are underexplored.

The allergenic effect of cyanobacteria has been previously reported, yet, the allergenic species and proteins are insufficiently characterized, and their emission into the air has not been investigated up to date.

Using molecular tools combined with immunoassays and proteomics we aim to characterize cyanobacterial allergens in freshwater environments and their aerial distribution while being emitted from the water to the air.

 

An impressive Microcystis Bloom presented by Ariel, 2022
An impressive Microcystis Bloom presented by Ariel, 2022
The Coriolis bio-sampler in action, samples over Lake Kinneret
The Coriolis bio-sampler in action, samples over Lake Kinneret
Micrographs of selected Cyanobacterial strains
Micrographs of selected Cyanobacterial strains