Abstract

Discovery of the toxic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida and fish kill events associated with it generated widespread public and scientific interest. To improve speed and sensitivity of detection we developed PCR probes for Pfiesteria species, and initially used them them as a surveillance tool to assess the presence of Pfiesteria during fish kill events. Subsequently, we determined that the species are distributed globally and, in collaboration with colleagues at ODU, that they can be transported in ballast water. While single-species approaches have proven their value, a next-generation approach would be a single test that assesses multiple species. Microarray technology offers such potential, and we have been developing DNA microarrays that test for a suite of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. This approach can be used as a tool for environmental assessment based on a widespread distribution of the bioindicator community of microbes and it can aid in discovery of previously unknown organisms.

Light refreshments are served in the Interaction Area (4th floor of the Oceanography/Physics Building) at 4:00 p.m.

All seminars begin at 3:00 p.m. and are held in room 200 of the Oceanography/Physics building.