Dermo (caused by Perkinsus marinus) has devastated oyster populations along the entire east coast. The objectives of this project are to 1) demonstrate seed originating from local wild oysters can contribute to the development of disease resistance broodstock and 2) genetically characterize regional oysters that are Dermo resistant. Upon completion we be able to determine the practicality of using local, surviving oysters under heavy disease pressure as broodstock and provide a means to identify oyster that have traits associated with disease resistance. Learn more...
Working with colleagues from the MBL and other institutions, we are beginning to characterize the interrelationship of the parasite QPX with its host, the hard clam (Merceneria mercenaria). Specifically, we are focusing on how gene expression in both species is influenced by (1) exposure with one another and (2) environmental conditions including temperature. These data should provide insight into factors associated with hard clam disease resistance. In addition we hope to characterize how the environment influences pathogenicity and virulence mechanism of QPX. Learn more....
Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) are ecologically important gastropods of the intertidal and nearshore subtidal marine habitat, providing key revenue for coastal communities from sport fishers. Abalone populations are continually threatened by diseases such as wIthering syndrome along with environmental conditions that influence the host-parasite relationship. We are currently beginning to characterize the molecular pathways associated with the host (abalone) response and compare these responses across strains.
Vibrio tubiashii has reemerged as a deadly oyster pathogen along the Pacific coast of the US. Developing techniques to assess how changes in the the environment influence V. tubiashii physiology will assist in predicting outbreaks and improving hatchery operating practices. In order to determine the abiotic and biotic effects on V. tubiashii physiology related to growth rates, change in behavior (eg swarmiing), and virulence, real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays will be developed that will target expressed genes. Furthermore protein expression patterns are also being examined. Learn more....
Research in our lab primarily focuses on characterizing physiological responses of marine organisms to environmental change. A core component of this includes studying the immune response of shellfish that have adapted to local conditions as well as using bivalves as indicators of ecosystem health.
Integral to our work on shellfish are studies that examine pathogen physiology in these systems, including how environmental conditions influence virulence and identifying mechanisms that have evolved in conjunction with host defenses.
The health of the Puget Sound ecosystem is significantly threatened by repercussions of human activity. We do not have a full understanding of the cumulative impacts of these stressors nor the long-term implications. Given the size of the system, it is certain that there are additional threats yet to be identified. The Pacific oyster is an exceptional environmental monitor that allows us to characterize biological effects, identify environmental threats, and predict future areas of concern. Learn more....
more research publications
In the Pacific Northwest the environment has changed in a manner that has contributed to increase mortality of bivalve larvae in hatcheries and also appears to have decreased natural recruitment. Several factors have been attributed to this problem including temperature, ocean acidification, and re-emerging pathogens. We are testing the impact of single and multiple biotic and abiotic stressors (i.e. decreased pH) on larval bivalves with a focus the Pacific oyster. In addition, population level effects of ocean acidification will be determined using select SNP markers. Learn more...