Senior Scientist, Associate Professor, Deputy Head of Research Institute Head of working group "Molecular ecology and ecophysiology of algae (cyanobacteria)"
Research area:
Molecular physiology, ecology and evolution of toxin-producing cyanobacteria
Nov 2014- present: Associate Professor at the Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck; University Docent at the University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences (since 2007)
June 2013 – Oct. 2014: Assistant Professor at the Research Institute for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck
Sept 1, 2012 - May, 2013: Senior scientist at the Research Institute for Limnology, Mondsee, University of Innsbruck
2007-Aug 31, 2012: Senior scientist at the Institute for Limnology in Mondsee, Austrian Academy of Sciences
2001-2007: Junior scientist at the Institute for Limnology in Mondsee, Austrian Academy of Sciences
1999-2001: Post doc position at the Federal Environmental Agency and Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
1997-1999: PhD fellow at the University of Vienna, Doc fellowship by the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Molecular physiology, ecology and evolution of toxin-producing cyanobacteria
Harmful algal blooms formed by cyanobacteria (cyanoHABs) are a global phenomenon observed both in fresh and brackish water. The human society is facing a couple of toxic compounds (“cyanotoxins”; e.g. the microcystins) of different chemical structure that are produced by several genera (Microcystis, Planktothrix, Anabaena), with some of them leading to outbreaks and diseases in livestock and humans.
Sampling of Planktothrix blooms in lakes in the Alps, Photo: R. Kurmayer
It is a challenge to identify the factors leading to toxic outbreaks which is due to the development of toxic ecotypes carrying the genes for the production of a certain toxin. am interested in physiological and ecological regulation of toxin production as well as evolutionary questions.
The elucidation of the genes involved in the synthesis of these toxins paved the way to
(i) Explore time scales and mechanisms in the evolution of responsible genes involved in cyanoHAB formation.
(ii) Postulate hypotheses about factors driving the innovation of toxin synthesis
(i) Forecast the ecological fitness of toxic/non-toxic genotypes during cyanoHAB development
Microcystis bloom formation in Nyanza Gulf (L. Victoria), Photo: R. Kurmayer
Answering these questions would help to understand whether the biodiversity and evolution of cyanotoxins is favored by the global increase of cyanoHAB formation. These questions are addressed by integrating the ecology, physiology and the genetic analysis of ecotypes through a comprehensive field and laboratory research program.
PhD fellowship Austrian Academy of Sciences (Elisabeth Entfellner): Toward an Understanding of Secondary Metabolic Diversity Among Algal Bloom-forming Cyanobacteria (2016 – 2020)
Microcystis with epibiontic protozoa and algae and bacteria, Photo: R. Kurmayer
Due to massive accumulation of cyanoHAB organisms at the surface or along the shore, the toxins that are produced can occur in high concentrations. This is of relevance when contaminated raw water is used for drinking as well as for recreation and tourism. Various aquatic biota like fish, crustaceans and mussels that are used for nutrition have been shown to contain cyanotoxins.
In Austria cyanoHABs occur in ponds and gravel pit lakes frequently after sunny periods during summer and autumn. In deep physically stratified lakes in the Alps, high abundances of the cyanobacterium Planktothrix can occur and under bloom conditions microcystin has been shown to be transferred up to the highest trophic levels.
Small fish (mostly Rastineobola argentea) occurring in Lake Victoria contain the hepatotoxin microcystin as revealed by ELISA, Photo: R. Kurmayer
As the occurrence of cyanoHABs is of public interest, water samples sent by technical offices or authorities are analyzed for the two most frequent cyanotoxins in freshwater, microcystin and anatoxin-a. Currently, in Austria a national guideline on the estimation of health risks associated with cyanoHABs occurrence is not available. Thus public requests are referred to the recommendation published by the Federal Environmental Agency in Germany.
Projects:
CYANOCOST, “Cyanobacteria booms and toxins in water resources : Occurrence, impacts and management”, EU COST Action ES1105, (2012-2016), http://cyanocost.com/
IPGL, International Training Programs in Limnology,
PhD-APPEAR fellowship granted by OEAD (Benard Simiyu): The effects of hydrological changes on spatial phytoplankton composition and Microcystin concentrations in Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya (2017-2020).
Alpine lakes as in situ observatories for climate change effects
Ice break up in Twenger Alm See (2118 m aSL) in the Niedere Tauern Region during June 2012, Photo: V. Schaidreiter
Both direct impacts (i.e. increase in water temperature) and indirect impacts (i.e. increase in physical lake stratification, longer vegetation period, eutrophication due to increased precipitation) are predicted to favor the occurrence of nuisance algae such as cyanoHAB organisms. It is possible that the effects of climatic change are likely to run counter to the reduction in nutrient loading which is aimed for by the water management.
We aim to understand the factors that regulate the growth of algae and cyanobacteria both through direct measurements in the field and also through modelling of cyanoHAB growth in the water column. In a recent project we use high-throughput sequencing techniques to monitor plankton community composition as well as the immigration of certain nuisance species as a consequence of climatic change.
The ultimate aim is to use these results for a protection, monitoring and restoration of aquatic ecosystems
Asterionella formosa blooming in Lake Moaralmsee (1825 m aSL) in the Niedere Tauern Region during summer 2011, Photo: R. Kurmayer
staff members of the Research group (from left to right: R. Kurmayer, T.G.Oluwakemi, O. Olukanni, R.A. Moron, A. Wiedlroither, H. Rund, K. Geir, not at the picture: H. Pritsch, M. Purker, and D. Holzer, photo: S. Wanzenböck click on photo to enlarge
Consequences of water level fluctuations on eutrophication of Lake Tana, Ethiopia and implications for management PhD Program, Flipos Engdaw WOLDEAB (May 2024 – April 2027), OEAD APPEAR (supervision: Kurmayer)
Surveillance and removal of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin potential and antibiotic resistant bacteria from drinking water sources (AfricaUniNet-Appear)(May 2022 - April 2024) , https://africa-uninet.at/en/
Tracking of Exposure to clickable Microcystins in Daphnia sp. (Tiroler Nachwuchsforscher*innenförderung-TNF, Jan 2024- Jun 2024), (PhD thesis, Rubén Morón Asensio)
CLimate response of Alpine lakes: resistance variability and Management consequences for Ecosystem Services (CLAIMES) - Earth System Sciences (ESS), Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW) (Jul 2019 - Dec 2022) (with S. Wanzenböck) https://www.uibk.ac.at/projects/claimes/
Eco-AlpsWater - Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers. Interreg Alpine Space - Europäischer Fonds für regionale Entwicklung (EFRE) - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (May 2018 - Dec 2021) together with J. Wanzenböck
‘The effect of hydrological changes on the spatial phytoplankton composition and microcystin concentration in Nyanza Gulf; Lake Victoria, Kenya’, APPEAR scholarship, Benard Mulchowa Simiyu (2017-2021)
Cyanobacterial blooms and toxins in water resources: Occurrence, impacts and management. ESSEM COST Action ES1105 (Apr 2012 - Mar 2016, http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/essem/Actions/ES1105 ). This new COST Action will establish a European network in order to address the issues of cyanobacterial blooms, their toxicity, monitoring, risk assessment, treatment and management and has been approved for involving >30 partners from 24 countries. http://cyanocost.com/
Risk Analysis of Direct and Indirect Climate effects on deep Austrian Lake Ecosystems (RADICAL) Climate and Energy Fund of the Federal State, ACRP (2009-2012)
“DEcadal deTECTion of biodIVErsity in alpine lakes, DETECTIVE - Global warming threatens biodiversity in (ultra)-sensitive Alpine lakes: an assessment of past, present and future scenarios" funded by the Alpine Research Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Dec 2009 - Dec 2012), National and International Research Programme.
“Natural products from cyanobacteria”, funded by Cyano Biotech GmbH, Chausseestr. 117, D-10115 Berlin, www.cyano-biotech.com
“Genotype determined toxin content in cyanobacteria”, funded by the Austrian Science Fund, P20231, www.fwf.at, July 2008 – June 2011 Dez 2011, finished. As a deliverable to disseminate the projects results an international mutagenisation workshop has been held in July 2011 (Link to: announcement; report)
“Linking Cyanotoxin production to genetic diversity” funded by the Austrian Science Fund P15709, www.fwf.ac.at , finished
"Microevolution of toxin synthesis in cyanobacteria" funded by the Austrian Science Fund P18185, www.fwf.ac.at , finished
“Use of cyanobacteria for the production of ethanol”, funded by Cyano BioFuels, Magnusstrasse 11, D-12489 Berlin, www.cyano-biofuels.com, finished
“Toxic and other bioactive PEPtides in Cyanobacteria” (PEPCY), funded by the European Community, QLK4-CT-2002-02634, finished, www.pepcy.de , Link to Final report. PDF (FINAL report PEPCY) As a deliverable for the PEPCY project “A manual on the use of genetic techniques to quantify genotypes of cyanobacteria in freshwater” has been compiled. Link to manual. PDF
Master's Programme (Botany, Ecology and Biodiversity and others)
Hydrobotany, elective Module 11 (every second year, Winter semester) including:
Molecular Taxonomy and Ecophysiology of Algae VU/2 at Research Department for Limnology, Mondseestrasse 9, 5310 Mondsee and Project Study Hydrobotany EU/3, at Institute for Botany, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck
Evolution of Algae VO/1, part of Elective Module 2: Plant Diversity and Systematics, Winter semester (every second year) at Institute for Botany, Sternwartestraße 15, A-6020 Innsbruck
Nature as a Political Subject VO/2, part of Elective Module 18: Theory of Science and Gender Research, Summer semester every second year at Research Department for Limnology, Mondseestrasse 9, 5310 Mondsee
Evolutionary Ecology of Aquatic Organisms VU/5, Summer semester every second year at Research Department for Limnology, Mondseestrasse 9, 5310 Mondsee
Ecological Project Study, Compulsory Module 2 including VU/3 Methods in the Advanced Research Project (Winter semester) and PJ/5 Ecological Project Study (Summer semester), (every second year)
Bachelor's Programme Biology
Basic Laboratory Course UE/3, in Winter semester (yearly) at Institute for Microbiology, Labor Biologie 0/406, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck
Molecular Ecology of Algae, VU/1, Elective Module 4: Diversity, Systematics and Ecology and Vascular Plants and Algae (Summer semester, yearly), at Institute for Botany, Sternwartestraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck
Interdisciplinary graduate course (Faculties of Biology and Geology)
Limnogeology VU/4- Interdisciplinary course in Mondsee (WS 2017/18, SS 2019) at Research Department for Limnology, Mondseestrasse 9, 5310 Mondsee (other lecturers involved from Mondsee: Sonntag, B.; Wanzenböck, J.)
University of Vienna
Physiology and Ecology of Cyanobacteria, VO/1 Winter Semester (every 2nd year since 2007 - 2021), University of Vienna, UZAI, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna.
Bachelor theses
Daniel Holzer, ‘Verbreitung der Gene zur Synthese des cyanobakteriellen Neurotoxins Anatoxin-a in Planktothrix’. (Univ. Innsbruck, 2014), 49pp.
Ivo Tomedi, Molekulargenetische Regulierung der Heterozystenbildung bei Cyanobakterien, Univ. Innsbruck, 2017, 48pp.
Magdalena Knapp, Ökologische Diversifizierung bei Algenblüten und Bildung von bioaktiven Naturstoffen, Univ Innsbruck, 2019, 61pp.
Kathrin Geir, Phylogenetische Charakterisierung von (nicht) toxischen Isolaten bei Algenblüten, Univ Innsbruck, 2022, 36pp.
Mandy Oberhollenzer, Exploration of eDNA metabarcoding to supplement Traditional Assessments in WFD implementations: Bioinformatic processing of 16S and 18S rDNA genes from Austrian lake and river biofilm samples in comparison to microscopic counts. Univ. Innsbruck, 2021, 55pp.
Clare Martens, Evaluation of 16S and 18S rDNA sequencing of phytoplankton samples from two freshwater lakes in Austria in comparison with the traditional assessment method by microscopy, Univ. Innsbruck, 2021, 61pp.
Dominik von Spinn, Umwelt DNA als Informationsquelle für den Gewässerschutz in Gebirgsseen. Innsbruck, 2021, 48pp.
Lena Rieberer, Verbreitung von Mutationen der Toxinsynthese bei Cyanobakterien in Europäischen Gewässern. Univ Innsbruck, 2022, 49pp.
Diploma theses
Thomas Kutzenberger, ‘Quantification of toxin genes in surface waters by real-time PCR’ (Univ. Vienna, 2003, 107pp.)
Baraka Sekadende, ‘Assessment of toxin producing cyanobacteria in Mwanza Gulf - Lake Victoria’ (UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands, 2002, 47pp.)
Marlies Gumpenberger, ‘Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of isolates of the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix’ (Univ. Salzburg, 2004, 122pp.)
Simone Kosol, ‘Characterising the content of two cyclic peptides and phytoplankton pigments in isolates of the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix spp’ (Univ. Salzburg, 2005, 87pp.)
William Okello, ‘Toxic cyanobacteria in Ugandan freshwater habitats’ (UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands, 2004, 70pp.)
Qian Liu, ‘Abundance of specific microcystin-deficient genotypes in Planktothrixrubescens populations of the Salzkammergut Area, Upper Austria’ (UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands, 2005, 61pp.)
Carole Molitor, ‘Phylogenetic characterisation of mutations inactivating the biosynthesis of the toxic heptapeptide microcystin’ (Univ. Innsbruck, 2006, 150pp.)
Veronika Ostermaier, ‘Seasonal abundance of mutation and recombinations in microcystin genes in populations of cyanobacteria’ (Univ. Munich, 2007, 104pp.)
Athanasio Mbonde, ‘Analysis of phytoplankton composition during stratification of Lake Victoria (Mwanza Gulf, Tanzania)’ (IHE Delft, The Netherlands, 2009, 71pp.)
Benard Simiyu, ‘Microcystin exposure through fish consumption in the Nyanza Gulf (Kenia)’ (IHE Delft, The Netherlands, 2012, 69pp.).
Mark Frei, ‘Recombinational analysis of toxin synthesis gene clusters in green- and red-pigmented Planktothrix’, (Univ.Vienna, 2013, 121pp.).
Mark Olokotum, The occurrence of cyanotoxins in raw water and its elimination during drinking water treatment in Uganda (IHE Delft 2016, The Netherlands, 74pp.).
Kathrin Baumann, Evolution of aeruginosin bioactive peptide synthesis in bloom-forming cyanobacteria (Univ. of Natural Resources and Life Sciences 2017, Vienna), 124pp.
Rachel Vith, The effects of cyanobacterial toxins and tase & odor compounds on treated water quality in Bahir Dar Gulf, Lake Tana, Ethiopia ( of Natural Resources and Life Sciences 2020, Vienna), 105pp.
Christoph Kotzorek, Click labelling and In Vitro clicking (CuAAC) of the widespread cyanotoxin Microcystin and the bioactive peptide Anabaenopeptin from cyanobacteria (Univ. of Innsbruck 2022), 95pp.
Magdalena Purker, The Evaluation of Toxin-producing potential. A monitoring system for cyanobacteria in bathing waters via amplicon sequencing (Univ. Vienna, 2021), 116pp.
Daniel Holzer, Charakterisierung von Mutationen durch Transposasen in Genen zur Toxinsynthese bei Cyanobakterien (Univ. Innsbruck 2022, ongoing)
Kristin Barbara Kuntz, Subzelluläre Lokalisierung der Toxinproduktion in Cyanobakterien: Eine umfassende Analyse der Signalintensität und Signalverteilung in der Zelle bei Microcystis aeruginosa und Planktothrix agardhii (Univ. Innsbruck, 2024), 110pp.
PhD theses
Eva Schober, ‘Diversity in abundance of toxic genotypes in natural populations of cyanobacteria (Planktothrix spp.)’, (Mar. 2003 – Jun.2006, University of Vienna, 129pp, defended)
William Okello, ‘Molecular and chemical characterisation of toxic cyanobacteria in Ugandan freshwater’(Jun. 2006 – Oct. 2009, Univ.Vienna, 109pp, defended).
Nadja Straubinger, ‘Effects of cage fish farming systems on phytoplankton and water quality in small ponds of East Africa’ (Co-supervisor, Mar. 2007 – Dec. 2009, Univ. Vienna, 67 pp., defended).
Veronika Ostermaier, ‘Environmental regulation of microcystin genotype abundance and the resulting net production of the toxic heptapeptide microcystin among bloom-forming cyanobacteria’ (Apr. 2009 – Sep. 2012, Univ. Vienna, 161pp., defended).
Philipp Trummer, “Cyanobacteria population development and regulation of toxin production in a mesotrophic deep lake in the Alps (May 2010 – Nov 2012, Univ. of Vienna), project RADICAL, discontinued.
Stephan Blank, “Assessment of planktonic diversity in alpine lakes by means of ultra-deep sequencing (Univ. of Innsbruck), project DETECTIVE, Nov 2011 – May 2015, discontinued.
Qin Chen, ‘Molecular Ecology and Physiology of Cyanobacteria in the Ecosystems of Freshwater and Sediments’ (Co-supervisor, Oct 2011 – Sept 2013, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China, 144 pp., defended).
Elisabeth Entfellner, ‘Towards an understanding of secondary metabolite diversity among the algal-bloom forming cyanobacterium Planktothrix’, (Jan 2014 – Jan 2024, Univ. Innsbruck, 213pp., defended).
Benard Mulchowa Simiyu, ‘The effects of hydrological changes on spatial phytoplankton composition and microcystin concentrations in Nyanza Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya.’, (April 2017 – 2021, Univ. Innsbruck, 202pp., defended).
Teofana Chonova, “Hospital effluents and their effect on microbial communities in environmental biofilms” (2019, Univ. of Innsbruck, 198pp., defended).
Hans Rund, “Development and implementation of eDNA monitoring methods for fish in the alpine region and comparison with traditional ecological status assessment methods” (Univ. of Innsbruck, Oct 2018 - ongoing), Co-supervisor, EcoAlpsWater
Hanna Pritsch, “Response of alpine lakes to climate change and consequences for management”, (Univ. of Innsbruck, Oct 2019 – ongoing)
Ruben Moron Asensio, “Subcellular localization of toxin production in cyanobacteria”, Univ. of Innsbruck, 2020-
Magdalena Purker, “Establishing an early warning system for cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in bathing waters”, Univ. of Innsbruck, 2022-
Rund H., Kurmayer R., Dobrovolny S., Luger M., Wanzenböck J. (2025). Application of eDNA metabarcoding to assess spatial distribution and habitat use by freshwater fish in a peri-alpine lake, Ecological Indicators 174: 113459, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113459
2024
Kurmayer R., Morón Asensio R. (2024). Real-Time Observation of Clickable Cyanotoxin Synthesis in Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Planktothrix agardhii. Toxins 16(12):526. doi:10.3390/toxins16120526
Jablonska, M., Cerasino L., Boscaini A., Capelli C., Greco C., Klemenčič A.K., Mischke U., Salmaso N., Kurmayer R. (2024). Distribution of toxigenic cyanobacteria in Alpine lakes and rivers as revealed by molecular screening. Water Research 121783, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.121783
Rund H., Wanzenböck J., Dobrovolny S., Kurmayer R. (2024). Relating target fish DNA concentration to community composition analysis in freshwater fish via metabarcoding, Science of The Total Environment 927: 172281, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172281.
Salmaso N., Bernabei S., Boscaini A., Capelli C., Cerasino L., Domaizon I., Elersek T., Greco C., Krivograd Klemenčič A., Tomassetti P., Kurmayer R. (2024). Biodiversity patterns of cyanobacterial oligotypes in lakes and rivers: results of a large-scale metabarcoding survey in the Alpine region. Hydrobiologia 851: 1035–1062, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-023-05423-z
2023
Entfellner, E., Baumann K.B.L., Edwards C., Kurmayer R. (2023). 'High Structural Diversity of Aeruginosins in Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria of the Genus Planktothrix as a Consequence of Multiple Recombination Events', Marine drugs 21: 638. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21120638
Purker, M., Dobrovolny S. , Kreuml M. , Hufnagl P. , Indra A. , Kurmayer R., 2023. Quantitative relationships among high-throughput sequencing, cyanobacteria toxigenic genotype abundance and microcystin occurrence in bathing waters, Science of The Total Environment 901:165934 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165934
Enigl K., Kurmayer R. (2023). Evolution of lake surface temperatures of high-altitude lakes in the European Alpine region under climate change, EarthArXiv pp. 1-27, https://doi.org/10.31223/X5NM28
Schirpke U., Ebner M., Fontana V., Enigl K., Ohndorf M., Pritsch H., Kurmayer R. (2023). Climate response of alpine lakes and impacts on ecosystem services, Landscape Online 98: 1109, doi:10.3097/LO.2023.1109. https://landscape-online.org/index.php/lo/article/view/LO.2023.1109
Pritsch H., Schirpke U., Jersabek C.D., Kurmayer R. (2023). Plankton community composition in mountain lakes and consequences for ecosystem services, Ecological Indicators 154: 110532, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110532
Fontana V., Ebner M., Schirpke U., Ohndorf M., Pritsch H., Tappeiner U., Kurmayer R. (2023). An integrative approach to evaluate ecosystem services of mountain lakes using multi-criteria decision analysis. Ecological Economic 204(A): 107678 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107678
2022
Olokotum M., Humbert J.-F., Quiblier C., Okello W., Semyalo R., Troussellier M., Marie B., Baumann K., Kurmayer R., Bernard C. (2022). Characterization of Potential Threats from Cyanobacterial Toxins in Lake Victoria Embayments and during Water Treatment. Toxins 14(10):664, https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14100664
Entfellner E., Li R., Jiang Y., Ru J., Blom J., Deng L.,Kurmayer R.(2022). Toxic/bioactive peptide synthesis genes rearranged by insertion sequence elements among the bloom-forming cyanobacteriaPlanktothrix.Front Microbioldoi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.901762
Salmaso N., Vasselon V., Rimet F., Vautier M., Elersek T., Boscaini A., Donati C., Moretto M., Pindo M., Riccioni G., Stefani E., Capelli C., Lepori F., Kurmayer R., Mischke U., Klemenčič A.K., Novak K., Greco C., Franzini G., Fusato G., Giacomazzi F., Lea A., Menegon S., Zampieri C., Macor A., Virgilio D., Zanut E., Zorza R., Buzzi F., Domaizon I. (2022). DNA sequence and taxonomic gap analyses to quantify the coverage of aquatic cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae in reference databases: Results of a survey in the Alpine region. Science of The Total Environment 834:155175 doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155175
Simiyu B.M., Kurmayer R. (2022). Response of planktonic diatoms to eutrophication in Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya, Limnologica 93: 125958 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2022.125958
Simiyu B. M., Amukhuma H. S., Sitoko L., Kurmayer R. (2022). Interannual variability of water quality conditions in the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya, Journal of Great Lakes Research 48: 97-109, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2021.10.017
2021
Morón-Asensio R., Schuler D., Wiedlroither A., Offterdinger M., Kurmayer R. (2021). Differential Labeling of Chemically Modified Peptides and Lipids among Cyanobacteria Planktothrix and Microcystis. Microorganisms 9(8):1578. doi:10.3390/microorganisms9081578
Schirpke U., Ebner M., Pritsch H., Fontana V., Kurmayer R. (2021). Quantifying Ecosystem Services of High Mountain Lakes across Different Socio-Ecological Contexts. Sustainability 13(11):6051. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116051
Ibelings B., Kurmayer R, Azevedo S.M.F.O., Wood S.A., Chorus I., Welker M. (2021). Chapter 4: Understanding the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, In: Chorus I., Welker M. (eds.). Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water: A Guide to Their Public Health Consequences, Monitoring and Management. CRC Press, 213-294.
Padisák J., Chorus I., Welker M., Maršálek B., Kurmayer R. (2021). Chapter 13: Laboratory analyses of cyanobacteria and water chemistry, In: Chorus I., Welker M. (eds.). Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water: A Guide to Their Public Health Consequences, Monitoring and Management. CRC Press, 689-744.
Rott E., Kurmayer R., Holzinger A., Sanders D.G. (2021). Contrasting endolithic habitats for cyanobacteria in spring calcites of the European Alps. Nova Hedwigia 112(1-2): 17-48. doi: 10.1127/nova_hedwigia/2021/0615
2020
Schwarzenberger A., Kurmayer R., Martin-Creuzburg D. (2020). Toward Disentangling the Multiple Nutritional Constraints Imposed by Planktothrix: The Significance of Harmful Secondary Metabolites and Sterol Limitation. Frontiers in Microbiology 11:2473 doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.586120.
Kaletta J., Pickl C., Griebler C., Klingl A., Kurmayer R., Deng L. (2020). A rigorous assessment and comparison of enumeration methods for environmental viruses. Sci Rep 10(1):18625 doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75490-y.
Kurmayer R., Entfellner E., Weisse T., Offterdinger M., Rentmeister A., Deng L. (2020). Chemically labeled toxins or bioactive peptides show a heterogeneous intracellular distribution and low spatial overlap with autofluorescence in bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Sci Rep 10, 2781, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59381-w
2019
Ma T., Jiang Y., Elbehery A. H. A., Blank S., Kurmayer R., Deng L. (online first). Resilience of planktonic bacterial community structure in response to short-term weather deterioration during the growing season in an alpine lake. Hydrobiologiadoi:10.1007/s10750-019-04118-8.
Jiang Y., Huang H., Ma T., Ru J., Blank S., Kurmayer R., Deng L. (2019). Temperature response of planktonic microbiota in remote alpine lakes, Front. Microbiol. 10:1714, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01714
Chonova T., Kurmayer R., Rimet F., Labanowski J., Vasselon V., Keck F., Illmer P., Bouchez A. (2019). Benthic Diatom Communities in an Alpine River Impacted by Waste Water Treatment Effluents as Revealed Using DNA Metabarcoding, Frontiers in Microbiology, 10:653. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00653
2018
Simiyu B.M., Odour S.O., Rohrlack T., Sitoki L., Kurmayer R. (2018). Microcystin Content in Phytoplankton and in Small Fish from Eutrophic Nyanza Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya, Toxins 10(7): 275 doi:10.3390/toxins10070275
Kurmayer R., Christiansen G., Holzinger A., Rott E. (2018). Single colony genetic analysis of epilithic stream algae of the genus Chamaesiphon spp. Hydrobiologia 811:61-75,doi:10.1007/s10750-017-3295-z
2017
Meriluoto J., Blaha L. , Bojadzija G., Bormans M., Brient L., Codd G.A., Drobac D., Faassen E.J., Fastner J., Hiskia A., Ibelings B.W. , Kaloudis T., Kokocinski M., Kurmayer R., Pantelić D., Quesada A., Salmaso N., Tokodi N., Triantis T.M., Visser P.M. Svirčev Z. (2017). Toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in European waters - recent progress achieved through the CYANOCOST Action and challenges for further research. Advances in Oceanography and Limnology 8(1) doi:10.4081/aiol.2017.6429.
Kurmayer, R., A. Wilmotte, K. Sivonen, N. Salmaso (eds.) 2017. Molecular tools for the detection and quantification of toxigenic cyanobacteria, 276pp. Wiley & Sons Limited http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1119332109.html (Deliverable of the CyanoCOST project, http://cyanocost.com)
Entfellner E., Frei M., Christiansen G., Deng L., Blom J., Kurmayer R. (2017): Evolution of anabaenopeptin peptide structural variability in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix. Frontiers in Microbiology 8:219, doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00219
2016
Bullerjahn, G.S. et al. (2016). Global solutions to regional problems: collecting global expertise to address the problem of harmful algal blooms - A Lake Erie case study. Harmful Algae 54:223-238, doi:10.1016/j.hal.2016.01.003.
Kurmayer, R., Deng, L., Entfellner, E. (2016). Role of toxic and bioactive secondary metabolites in colonization and bloom formation by filamentous cyanobacteria Planktothrix. Harmful Algae 54:69-86. doi:10.1016/j.hal.2016.01.004
Weckström K., Weckström J., Huber K., Kamenik C, Schmidt R., Salvenmoser W., Rieradevall M., Weisse T., Psenner R., Kurmayer R. (2016). Impacts of climate warming on Alpine lake biota over the last decade. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 48, 361-376. Abstract
Chen, Q., Christiansen, G., Deng, L., Kurmayer, R. (2016). Emergence of nontoxic mutants as revealed by single filament analysis in bloom-forming cyanobacteria of the genus Planktothrix. BMC Microbiology 16:23, doi 10.1186/s12866-016-0639-1 PDF
2015
Mbonde A., Sitoki L., Kurmayer R. (2015). Phytoplankton composition and microcystin concentrations in open and closed bays of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 18(2):212-220, DOI:10.1080/14634988.2015.101103. PDF
Kurmayer R., Blom J., Deng L., Pernthaler J. (2015) Integrating phylogeny, geographic niche partitioning, and secondary metabolite synthesis in bloom-forming Planktothrix. The ISME Journal 9(4):909-921. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2014.189 PDF
2014
Kohler, E., V. Grundler, D. Häussinger, R. Kurmayer, K. Gademann, J. Pernthaler & J. F. Blom, (2014). The toxicity and enzyme activity of a chlorine and sulfate containing aeruginosin isolated from a non-microcystin-producing Planktothrix strain. Harmful Algae 39:154-160 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2014.07.003
Christiansen G., Goesmann A., Kurmayer R. (2014). Elucidation of insertion elements encoded on plasmids and in vitro construction of shuttle vectors from the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix.Appl Environ Microbiol. doi:10.1128/AEM.01188-14
Niedermeyer T. J., Schmieder P., Kurmayer R. (2014) Isolation of Microcystins from the Cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens Strain No80. Natural Products and Bioprospecting. 1-9. DOI 10.1007/s13659-013-0001-3
2013
Ostermaier, V., Christiansen G., Schanz, F., Kurmayer, R. (2013) Genetic variability of microcystin biosynthesis genes in Planktothrix as elucidated from samples preserved by heat desiccation during three decades. PLOS One. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080177PDF
Nevalainen, L., Ketola, M., Korosi, J.B., Manca, M., Kurmayer, R., Koinig, K., Psenner, R., Luoto, TP. (2013) Zooplankton (Cladocera) species turnover and long-term decline of Daphnia in two high mountain lakes in the Austrian Alps. Hydrobiologia, DOI 10.1007/s10750-013-1676-5.
Rohrlack, T., Christiansen, G., Kurmayer, R. (2013). A putative anti-parasite defensive system in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix involving ribosomal and non-ribosomal oligopeptides. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 79, 2642-2647 PDF
2012
Ostermaier V., Schanz F., Köster O., and Kurmayer R. (2012) Stability of toxin gene proportion in red-pigmented populations of the cyanobacterium Planktothrix during 29 years of re-oligotrophication of Lake Zürich. BMC Biology 10:100, doi:10.1186/1741-7007-10-100.
Savichtcheva, O., Debroas, D., Kurmayer, R., Villar, C., Jenny J.P., Fabien A., Perga M.E., Domaizon I. (2011) Quantitative PCR enumeration of total and toxic Planktothrix rubescens/agardhii and other cyanobacteria in preserved DNA isolated from lake sediments. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77:8744-8753. doi: 10.1128/AEM.06106-11PDF
Christiansen, G., Philmus, B., Hemscheidt, T., and Kurmayer, R. (2011) Genetic variation of adenylation domains of the anabaenopeptin synthesis operon and the evolution of substrate promiscuity. Journal of Bacteriology 193, 3822-3831 PDF
Okello, W., Kurmayer, R. (2011) Seasonal development of cyanobacteria and microcystin production in Ugandan freshwater lakes. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management 16:123-135.
Babanazarova, O. V., Kurmayer R., Sidelev S. I., Aleksandrina E. M., and Sakharova E .G. (2011) Phytoplankton structure and microcystine concentration in the highly eutrophic Nero Lake. Water Resources 39(2):229-236. PDF
Kurmayer, R., Schober E., Tonk L., Visser P., and Christiansen G. (2011) Spatial divergence in the proportions of genes encoding toxic peptide synthesis among populations of the cyanobacterium Planktothrix in European lakes. FEMS Microbiol Letters 317:127-137. PDF
Kurmayer, R. (2011) The toxic cyanobacterium Nostoc strain 152 produces highest amounts of microcystin and nostophycin under stress conditions. Journal of Phycology 47:200-207. PDF
2010
Ostermaier, V., and Kurmayer, R. (2010) Application of real-time PCR to estimate toxin production by the cyanobacterium Planktothrix sp. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76:3495-3502. PDF
Okello, W; Ostermaier, V; Portmann, C; Gademann, K, and Kurmayer, R. (2010) Spatial isolation favours the divergence in microcystin net production by Microcystis in Ugandan freshwater lakes. Water Research 44: 2803-2814. PDF
Okello, W., Portmann, C., Erhard, M., Gademann, K., Kurmayer, R. (2010) Occurrence of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in Ugandan freshwater habitats. Environ. Tox. 25: 367-380. PDF
2009
Kosol, S., Schmidt, J., and Kurmayer, R. (2009): Variation in peptide net production and growth among strains of the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix spp. Eur. J. Phycol. 44:49-62. PDF
Kurmayer, R. and Christiansen, G. (2009): The genetic basis of toxin production in Cyanobacteria. Freshwater Reviews 2:31-50 PDF
Ostermaier, V. and Kurmayer, R. (2009): Distribution and abundance of nontoxic mutants of cyanobacteria in lakes of the Alps. Microbial Ecology 58:323-333. PDF
2008
Christiansen, G., Yoshida W.Y., Blom, J., Portmann, C., Gademann, KG., Hemscheidt, T., and Kurmayer, R. (2008): Isolation and structure determination of two microcystins and sequence comparisons of McyABC adenylation domains in Planktothrix species. Journal of Natural Products 71:1881-1886. PDFSupplement
Christiansen G., Molitor C., Philmus B., and Kurmayer R. (2008): Non-toxic strains of cyanobacteria are the result of major gene deletion events induced by a transposable element. Molecular Biology and Evolution 25:1695-1704 Link
2007
Naselli-Flores, L., Barone, R., Chorus, I., and Kurmayer, R. (2007): Toxic cyanobacterial blooms under a semiarid mediterranean climate: The magnification of a problem. Environmental Toxicology 22:399-404. PDF
Ishida K., Christiansen G., Yoshida WY., Kurmayer R., Welker , Bonjoch J., Hertweck C., Börner T., Hemscheidt T., and Dittmann E. (2007): Biosynthetic pathway and structure analysis of aeruginoside 126A and B, cyanobacterial peptide glycosides bearing an unusual 2-carboxy-6-hydroxyoctahydroindole moiety. Chemistry and Biology 14: 565-576. Links to PDF's (Ishida et al. 2007), (preface Ishida et al. 2007)
Schober E., Werndl M., Laakso K., Korschineck I., Sivonen K., and Kurmayer R. (2007): Interlaboratory comparison of Taq Nuclease Assays for the quantification of the toxic cyanobacteria Microcystis sp. Journal of Microbiological Methods 69: 122-128. PDF
2006
Kurmayer R. and Gumpenberger M. (2006): Diversity of microcystin genotypes among populations of the filamentous cyanobacteria Planktothrix rubescens and Planktothrix agardhii. Molecular Ecology 15: 3849-3861. PDF
Schober E. and Kurmayer R. (2006): Evaluation of different DNA sampling techniques for the application of the real-time PCR method for the quantification of cyanobacteria in water. Letters in Applied Microbiology 42: 412-417. PDF
Christiansen G., Kurmayer R., Liu Q., and Börner T. (2006): Transposons inactivate the biosynthesis of the nonribosomal peptide microcystin in naturally occurring Planktothrix spp. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 72: 117-123. PDF, Cover
2005
Sekadende BC., Lyimo T. J., and Kurmayer R. (2005): Microcystin production by cyanobacteria in the Mwanza Gulf (Lake Victoria, Tanzania). Hydrobiologia 543: 299-304. PDF
Kurmayer R., Christiansen G., Gumpenberger M., and Fastner J. (2005): Genetic identification of microcystin ecotypes in toxic cyanobacteria of the genus Planktothrix. Microbiology 151: 1525-1533. PDF
2004
Via-Ordorika L., Fastner J., Kurmayer R., Hisbergues M., Dittmann E., Komarek J., Erhard M., and Chorus I. (2004): Distribution of microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing Microcystis sp. in European freshwater bodies: detection of microcystins and microcystin genes in individual colonies. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 27: 592-603. PDF
Kurmayer R., Christiansen G., Fastner J., and Börner T. (2004): Abundance of active and inactive microcystin genotypes in populations of the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix spp. Environmental Microbiology 6: 831-841. PDF, Cover
2003
Kurmayer R. and Kutzenberger T. (2003): Application of real-time PCR for the quantification of microcystin genotypes in a population of the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis sp. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69:6723-6730. PDF
Kurmayer R., Christiansen G., and Chorus I. (2003): The abundance of microcystin-producing genotypes correlates positively with colony size in Microcystis and determines its microcystin net production in Lake Wannsee. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69/2: 787-795. PDF
2002
Kurmayer R., Dittmann E., Fastner J.and Chorus I. (2002): Diversity of microcystin genes within a population of the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis spp. in Lake Wannsee (Berlin, Germany). Microbial Ecology 43: 107-118. PDF
2001
Kurmayer R. (2001): Competitive ability of Daphnia under dominance of non-toxic filamentous cyanobacteria, M. Boersma & K. Wiltshire (eds.): Proceedings of the V symposium on cladocera in Plön (Germany), Hydrobiologia 442: 279-289. PDF
2000
Kurmayer R. (2000): Nutritive vs. interfering effects of Anabaena sp. on Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia. Verh. Int. Ver. Limnol. 27: 3001-3005.
1999
Kurmayer R., and Jüttner F. (1999): Strategies for the coexistence of zooplankton with the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens in Lake Zürich. J. Plankt. Res. 21: 659-683. PDF
Popular scientific contributions
Teubner K., Kurmayer R., Dokulil M.T. (2022). Eutrophierung, toxische Cyanobakterien am Beispiel des urbanen Donau-Altarmgewässers Alte Donau und des alpinen Mondsees. In: ÖWAV Arbeitsbehelf 52, Band 2 „Mikrobiologie und Wasser“ (Fallstudien), (eds Farnleitner et al.), 35-45, https://www.oewav.at/Publikationen?current=449629&mode=form
Kurmayer, R., Luger, M., Blatterer, H. (2022). Auftreten von roten Cyanobakterien-Blüten in den Alpenseen am Beispiel des Mondsees gestern und heute. Österreichs Fischerei 75(5/6), 139-153.
Mischke U., Kurmayer R., Salmaso N., Elersek T., Lepori F., Schaumburg J., Rimet F., Vasselon V., Domaizon I. (2022). Metabarcoding für Phytoplankton- und benthische Diatomeenarten durch das Projekt Eco-AlpsWater – Erfahrungen für bayerische Gewässer. In: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie e.V.: Ergebnisse der Jahrestagung 2021 der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Limnologie (DGL) und der deutschen und österreichischen Sektion der Societas Internationalis Limnologiae (SIL). Leipzig, 27. September – 1. Oktober 2021. Essen: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie, ISBN 978-3-9818302-6-2, S. 163 - 170.
Kurmayer, R. Studie zum Einfluss des Klimawandels auf Alpine Seen und deren Ökosyslemleistungen – 2. Bericht, Probenahme im September – Oktober 2020. Österreichs Fischerei 75(2/3), 61-67.
Kurmayer, R. Einfluss des Klimawandels auf alpine Seen, Bericht in Salzburgs Fischerei Heft 3/2021, S. 35-40.
Wanzenböck J., Kurmayer R. (2014). Radical - Risk Analysis of Direct and Indirect Climate Effects on Deep Austrian Lake Ecosystems. Berichte zur Klimafolgenforschung 2014 - Biodiversität, Broschüre des Austrian Climate Research Programme in Essence, 13-19. PDF
Kurmayer, R. (2006). Bedingungen und Steuerung der Toxinproduktion bei Cyanobakterien – aktueller Stand der Forschung. In: Toxinbildende Cyanobakterien (Blaualgen) in bayrischen Gewässern. Materalienband Nr. 125, Bayrisches Landesamt für Umwelt, pp. 116-143. Link to PDF (Bayr. Landesamt Bericht)
Kurmayer R. (2005). Dreckige Gewinner. Team vom Mondsee erforscht die Karriere von Blaualgen. Universum April 2005, No4: 91. PDF
