other research projects
Several research directions have spawned from our bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) EST project. Consistent with the objectives of the EST project, the functional roles of thyroid hormone and myostatin are being explored. Microsatellites (SSRs) were derived from the ESTs and are being used to characterize local populations and evaluate enhancement activities. Finally, the identification of several novel transcripts has allowed us to begin to study the effects of environmental perturbations on scallop physiology and develop the species as an environmental indicator. Learn more...
Outbreaks of cod nodavirus in Atlantic Canada and New Hampshire have caused catastrophic mortality at the hatchery and nursery stages and forewarns that nodavirus is a serious threat to the future development of cod aquaculture. Two of the most pressing matters concerning nodavirus infections in Atlantic cod are the development of specific and sensitive viral detection techniques, and methods for effectively disinfecting eggs to prevent vertical transmission of the virus. We have already begun to develop a Real-time PCR assay for the detection of cod nodavirus in cod broodstocks, gametes, fertilized eggs and larvae.. Learn more...