Phytochip: a New Tool to Study the Diversity of Toxic Phytoplankton in the Bay of Seine

Introduction
Detection of harmful algal blooms (HABs), also called red tides, has become a challenging concern due to the direct impacts on public health and economy. Current methods consist in microscopic identification and enumeration of the cells of interests. However it is time-consuming, tedious and requires expert taxonomists. Advances in molecular biology allow the development of new tools. In this context, we aimed at developing a new DNA microarray: the phytochip. It should be a rapid and accurate method dedicated to the identification of the main toxic phytoplankton species in French waters.