A Molecular Approach to Environmental Studies on Perkinsus Marinus
. Transmission Dynamics of Infection
in Chesapeake Bay
Since the 1950s, researchers have depended on now-standard laboratory procedures to determine the presence and intensity of Dermo infection in oysters; unfortunately, these procedures are labor intensive, time-consuming and relatively insensitive. In addition, scientists have discovered in the last several years that the results they give are not necessarily evidence of
Perkinsus marinus because there are several other
Perkinsus species in coastal waters. New molecular probes, however, have been developed that are more precise and so sensitive that they can detect just one or two cells of a parasite in a tiny oyster larva. Gerardo Vasta has developed a probe he is now refining for use in the field; it is based on using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a unique DNA molecule found only in
P. marinus. The ability to assess the onset of infections in oyster spat or juveniles will provide information about the life stage most susceptible to Dermo infection; it will also provide a technique for hatchery managers to certify that batches of oyster seed are disease free.
|
Gerardo R. Vasta
University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
|
|
|
