Harmful algae blooms are becoming more common in the Great Lakes, raising concerns about chemicals produced by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. This project studies how these toxins affect human health by testing their impact on human cells grown in the lab. Researchers will compare the effects of a known toxin with samples collected from local lakes to better understand how real-world water conditions affect the body. The team will also use small lab-grown models of the gut and brain to learn how different tissues may respond to these toxins.

By connecting changes in human cells with lake water conditions, this study could improve how harmful algal blooms are detected and help identify potential health risks earlier.