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Current Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Morphology of venom duct in Cone snails. In collaboration with Dr. Joseph Schulz, Oxy.
Analysis of wound healing in the giant keyhole limpet.
Will hypoxia and/or hyposaline conditions increase KLH synthesis?
Distribution of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in shrimp and limpets.
Characterize the morphology and biochemistry of mucus and secretory cells in 5 “skin” regions of the GKL
Determine possible antibacterial properties of mucus from the GKL
Determine if shrimp and limpet hemocytes produce NETs similar to vertebrate immune cells.
Determine if the cyclic production and release of the peritrophic membrane in shrimp and lower crustaceans may prevent the formation of a normal flora.
Rates of hemocyte turnover in shrimp and limpets
Clearance mechanism of bacteria injected into the GKL
About My Research
About My Research
Research in my lab focuses on the functional morphology of cells and tissues in marine crustaceans and gastropods. With crustaceans we are interested in cells and tissue involved in fighting infection. Most of our work has been on penaeid shrimp (primarily Sicyonia ingentis) with comparative studies on lobsters and spiny lobsters and other groups. We have developed a classification scheme for circulating blood cells based on morphology, cytochemistry and function. Hyaline cells lyse to initiate coagulation of the hemolymph thereby preventing dissemination of pathogens thought the body. Granulocytes, both small and large granule varieties, phagocytose and encapsulate foreign material and release chemicals such as phenoloxidase. Nodules composed of foreign materials and blood cells form rapidly in the blood and are filtered out primarily in the narrow vessels of the gills. We have examined the midgut trunk and associated peritrophic membrane as a possible barrier to penetration of ingested microbes into the body and in the role of the lymphoid organ in removing pathogens from the blood and the process of hematopoiesis. Finally, we plan to determine if the cyclic production and release of the peritrophic membrane in shrimp and lower crustaceans may prevent the formation of a normal flora.
A second area of research in my lab involves projects on a marine gastropod. Megathura crenulata, the giant keyhole limpet, is the source of KLH (Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin), a plasma respiratory pigment that shows promise in the clinical treatment of cancer. We have identified the cells responsible for the synthesis of KLH. We have described the morphology and enzymatic capability of each region of the digestive track and are currently working on describing the secretory cells and their mucus product on several distinct regions of the outer skin. Our interest is in the ability of the mucus to prevent infection by microbes. Finally we are interested in addressing mechanisms by which bacterial injected into the limpet are cleared from circulation and to compare the process in a gastropod with that of the penaeid shrimp.
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