Cawthron, biosecurity and biotechnology, algal technologies and bioactives, molecular probe, marine bioinvasion, pest management.

Cawthron has an international reputation for its research on harmful algal blooms and marine biotoxins. Our multi-skilled team can offer expert advice on or assistance with:

1.	Taxonomic identification of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species
2.	Ecological information regarding HABs
3.	Access to unique micro-algae held as living or cryopreserved cultures in our Micro-algae Culture Collection
4.	Mass cultures of planktonic and benthic micro-algae, e.g. for preparation of certified reference standards - Cawthron has several mass culturing options, including batch cultures (200 L is a commonly requested volume) and continuous flow systems
5.	Extraction of bioactive compounds from the mass micro-algal cultures, e.g. solid phase clean-ups
6.	Harvest of compounds from the wild using a novel adsorption technology - useful for the extraction of biotoxins where the micro-algae are not able to be cultured
7.	Chemical analyses and characterisation of marine biotoxins and other bioactive compounds using the latest chemical analytical systems
8.	Biochemical assays for the detection of diarrhetic, amnesic and paralytic shellfish toxins, e.g. protein phosphatase and receptor binding assays
9.	The development of neuroprotectants from micro-algae toxins