Programs
Department of Environmental & Aquatic Animal Health - Research
Programs & Projects
Fish & Shellfish Immunity
Introduction
Work in the Fish and Shellfish Immunity Laboratory is dedicated to the study of the immune defense mechanisms of finfish and shellfish. Laboratory staff and students are currently using cellular and molecular methodologies employed in biomedical research to gain an understanding in the mechanisms important to fish health. Knowledge gained through these studies have, in the past, resulted in the development of vaccines and diagnostics for use in aquaculture.
Research
Research in fish and shellfish immunology examines immunological responses on the molecular, cellular, and organismal level to various anthropogenic and natural environmental stressors. Areas of specialization include immunotoxicology, cellular immunology, immunochemistry, vaccination, and immunodiagnosis. Current studies are focused on the analyses of the immune defense of oysters, trout, and mummichog with an eye also to those marine fish which may be important to future mariculture such as flounder.