This laboratory investigates the pathogenesis of aquatic animal diseases using traditional pathological methods combined with current molecular methods. Current research involves examination of hard clam strain susceptibility to Quahog Parasite Unknown and the methods of transmission of that protistan organism between infected and uninfected animals; detection of disease-causing protozoan organisms (MSX and SSO) in eastern oysters using PCR, and in situ hybridization techniques and evaluation of inbred strains of oysters for resistance to disease vs. productivity as commercial aquaculture stock. Other projects involve examination of early life stages of cultured summer flounder for disease problems and determination of possible causes of lobster shell disease in the northeast.

Current Research

Contact Information:
Roxanna Smolowitz
Adjunct Scientist
MRC 305A
7 MBL Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543
508-289-7400
FAX: 508-289-7900
rsmol@mbl.edu