A centrifugal microfluidic-based approach for multi-toxin detection for real-time marine water-quality monitoring

Globally, fresh and brackish water sources are constantly under treat of exposure to toxins. Two of the most prevalent toxins from fresh and brackish water blooms are the cyclic peptide toxins of the microcystin family, formed from cyanobacterial, and the kainic acid analog neurotoxin known as domoic acid. There is therefore a significant need for constant and cost-effective `on-site' algal-toxin monitoring to respond to constantly increasing demand for safe and `toxin-free' freshwater, shellfish and fish stocks. Herein, we describe a Lab-On-A-Disc (LOAD) platform which was developed to assess microcystin and domoic acid concentration levels in-situ. Using recombinant antibody technology, the LOAD platform combines immunofluorescence with centrifugally driven microfluidic liquid handling to achieve a next-generation disposable device for high throughput sampling.