Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Aquatic Conservation, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2011 Feb 18;6(2):e17280. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017280.
Screening methods to prevent introductions of invasive species are critical for the protection of environmental and economic benefits provided by native species and uninvaded ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems worldwide remain vulnerable to damage from aquatic species introductions, particularly via ballast water discharge from ships. Because current ballast management practices are not completely effective, rapid and sensitive screening methods are needed for on-site testing of ships in transit. Here, we describe a detection technology based on a microfluidic chip containing DNA oligonucleotide functionalized carbon nanotubes. We demonstrate the efficacy of the chip using three ballast-transported species either established (Dreissena bugensis) or of potential threat (Eriocheir sinensis and Limnoperna fortuneii) to the Laurentian Great Lakes. With further refinement for on-board application, the technology could lead to real-time ballast water screening to improve ship-specific management and control decisions.
筛选方法，以防止外来物种的引入是至关重要的保护的环境和经济效益所提供的本地物种和未受干扰的生态系统。沿海生态系统在世界各地仍然容易受到损害，从外来物种的引入，特别是通过压载水排放从船舶。因为目前的压载水管理做法并不完全有效，快速和敏感的筛选方法是需要在现场测试的船舶在过境。在这里，我们描述了一种检测技术，基于一个微流控芯片包含 DNA 寡核苷酸功能化碳纳米管。我们演示了芯片的功效使用三种压载运输物种要么建立（斑马贻贝）或潜在的威胁（中华绒螯蟹和福寿螺）到劳伦森大湖。进一步完善船上的应用，该技术可以导致实时压载水筛选，以改善船舶特定的管理和控制决策。
