Research Projects for 2009
ME8361-08
M. Rumpho
Regulation of Photosynthetic Processes
Life on earth is dependent upon the oxygen produced by photosynthesis; a solar energy-driven process that
also plays a fundamental role in plant growth, productivity, and biofuel production. The chloroplast is the
organelle of photosynthesis; its function and survival are highly dependent upon nuclear genes to provide
essential chloroplast proteins. Without chloroplasts and the essential nuclear genes, animals normally cannot
carry out photosynthesis. The marine mollusc (sea slug) Elysia chlorotica is an exception. This animal acquires
chloroplasts early in its life-cycle by feeding on the alga Vaucheria, and retains them in cells lining its
digestive tract in an unusual symbiotic association. The resulting green, leaf-like animal is able to carry out
photosynthesis for its entire ten month life-cycle as if it were a plant. The objective of this project is to
exploit this unique model organism to examine the dynamic regulation of radiant energy capture and utilization
in photosynthesis, and to study the architecture, function and biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus. We
will specifically attempt to identify examples of nuclear gene transfer events from the alga to the animal to
support synthesis of essential chloroplast proteins. Secondly, we will examine the role of the nucleo-cytosol
in controlling chloroplast gene expression in the algal versus sea slug cellular environment. The broader impact
of these studies is seen at many levels including: 1) Genetic engineering and the potential for gene drift.
2) Alternatives to biofuel production including, synthetic photosynthesis. 3) Aquaculture and biodiversity
preservation by developing procedures to culture the sea slugs in the laboratory. 4) Science teaching through
exploitation of an unusual organism, a solar-powered sea slug.
ME08407-05 G. Mayer
Environmental Toxicant Effects on Embryonic and Adult Finfish
Elevated heavy metal concentrations in ground water present a health hazard to aquatic organisms.
This project investigates an organism's ability to cope with heavy metal insult through mechanisms
that are mediated by the transcription factor MTF-1.
ME08753-06
C. Kim
Identification and Characterization of Immune Factors in the Zebrafish, Danio rerio
The overall goal of our work is to better understand the innate immune response, which is the first line
of host defense against pathogen infection. The zebrafish provides an ideal model system because of the
vast body of scientific information and reagents that are readily available. A better understanding of
the innate immune system will help us to develop improved methods of disease prevention and vaccine
development in the zebrafish model system. The knowledge that we have gained about disease control in
the zebrafish can then be applied to economically important fish species.
ME08754-08H J. Singer
Prevention of the IPNV carrier state with DNA and subunit vaccine
There is presently no vaccine to prevent IPNV epizootics and the formation of the carrier state in
IPNV survivors. This project will determine if a DNA vaccine against IPNV can result in a more rapid
rate of clearing in IPNV-challenged fish.
ME08910-08MRF M. Rumpho, D. Zhang, L. Berg-Stack
New England Center for Invasive Plants
Invasive plants displace native plants, reduce biological diversity, alter ecosystem function and
cause huge economical losses. The purpose of this study is to gather scientific data to formulate a
plan on how to prevent or at least slow the migration of invasive plants (especially Japanese barberry
and burning bush) throughout the state of Maine and develop alternatives to invasive landscape plants.
ME08913-08 R. Wheeler, C. Kim
In vivo response to fungal infection
Fisheries and aquaculture industries are important to the economic health of Maine, yet we still understand
little about how the fish immune system fights disease. Especially in the case of aquaculture, control of
bacterial, fungal, and viral disease is an important goal for increasing production and ensuring the health
of the food we eat. Mycosis is an important problem for both wild fish on the Eastern seaboard and commercial
aquaculture in Asia and Europe, with the potential to eventually cause economic impact in the United States.
Greater understanding of the nature of immune response to fungal infection in fish will contribute to our ability
to control fungal pathogens of commercially valuable fish. This proposal aims to both characterize the immune
response to fungal infection and develop an alternative vertebrate model for understanding pathogenesis of a
clinically relevant fungus.
