Exploring Stress
My research program is an exploration of how environmental stressors affect molecular mechanisms in animals - biomarker discovery. I have considerable research experience utilizing modern methods of analysis to identify biomarkers in various animal models. My research program is unique however, the work we do complements research ongoing at Acadia University and expands upon current research in animal stress. Thus, our research can be adapted for different animal models depending on availability and collaborative interests. From the protein perspective my interests lie within the field of environmental proteomics or the study of protein changes in response to environmental effects. With generous funding grants from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) I can continue this fascinating work and most importantly fund student research which is indeed the backbone of Acadia University.
My sabbatical plans will include research on the effects of parasitism by freshwater mussels in Costa Rica. I will be continuing with several ongoing projects including exploring biomarkers of stress in the myriad of animals mentioned above. I also hope to visit Finland where I will work with colleagues at the University of Eastern Finland hoping to add to my suite of biomarkers in fish.
I am continuing my collaboration with Dr. Shelley Adamo at Dalhousie University on an NSERC funded Alliance Grant exploring the impact of the Oblique Banded Leaf Roller (OBLR) on apple crops in Nova Scotia.
Our current suite of animal models include sea stars, zebra fish, Leach's Storm Petrels, striped bass, squid, frogs, white-tailed deer, zebra fish and sea stars. Each of these model systems is being explored to identify differential gene expression of immune related gens and to identify protein biomarkers of stress.
Past and ongoing projects
A continuing project is exploring epidermal mucus proteins in striped bass following catch-and-release is to identify biomarkers which can be used as stress indicators. We will correlate these markers with duration of handling following removal from the water. One goal is to determine the effect of environmental stressors on striped bass with the use of biomarkers (mucus proteins) that can be used as stress indicators. Thus our main goals are to 1) understand the effect of angling stress on striped bass and 2) identify and quantify useful biomarkers of stress that can be obtained through non-invasive sampling.
We have a sizable data set from our collaboration with the Walker lab exploring novel yeasts in the Nova Scotia environment. See https://lighthousenow.ca/article.php?title=Saltbox_brews_up_a_plan_with_Acadia_University
Another project that yielded an impressive amount of proteomic data was our White-tailed deer project: For more details on the project follow the link to my interview with Information Mornings' Don Connolly about this project (www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/deer-liver-research-acadia-university-nova-scotia-1.3839758).
For an idea of ongoing and past research in The Easy Lab see the list of Masters, Honours and Research topics students projects as listed here:
Masters Students/Theses:
Emma-Jean Freeman (Co-Supervisor Dr. Don Stewart). MSc candidate. 2022. An exploration of the parasitic relationship between freshwater mussel glochidia and fish hosts and the impacts on fish health and survival in an aquaculture setting.
McKenzie Brown (Supervisor). MSc candidate. 2021. Characterizing differential effects of stress on CBD Treatment using a Zebrafish Model.
Sam Nunn (Supervisor). MSc candidate. 2021. Exploring differential gene expression in the MHC of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) in response to mercury contamination.
Taylor Swanburg (Co-Supervisor Dr Laura Ferguson). MSc candidate. 2021. Detecting the Spread of Invasive Mosquitoes and Disease Potential in Nova Scotia
Veronique Plante (Committee member). MSc candidate. 2020. Supervised by Dr Shawkat Ali and Dr Allison Walker. In vitro elimination of raspberry viruses from virus- infected raspberry plants using a combination of thermotherapy and cryotherapy as well dsRNA-induced gene silencing.
Zhe Yang (Co-Supervisor Dr. Trevor Avery & Dr. Glenys Gibson). 2022. Environmental DNA: Identification of a striped bass diet using molecular tools.
Victoria Ivey (Committee member). MSc. Supervised by Dr Kirk Hillier. 2022. Molecular and behavioural plasticity in the pheromone response of the corn earworm moth Helicoverpa zea.
Carter Feltham (Co-Supervisor Dr. Stephen Mockford). MSc. 2020. Genetics of a new Blanding’s turtle population in Nova Scotia.
Elizabeth Tsitrin (Committee member). MSc. 2019. Supervised by Dr Mike Stokesbury. Post-spawning migration and predicted encounter rates with in-stream tidal turbines of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Minas Basin
Honours BSc Students/Theses:
Sydney Zakutney. (Co-Supervised with Dr Brian Wilson). 2022. Impact of Stress on Neurogenesis in Zebrafish
Emma-Jean Freeman. 2021. An exploration of the impacts of temperature stress on an agricultural insect pest, the oblique banded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana).
Cedric Gravel. 2021. The vascular and neuronal effects of astrocytic hmgb1 in the cerebral cortex.
Josh Klum. (Co-Supervised with Dr Trevor Avery). 2021. Differential antifreeze glycoprotein expression among tissue types in Microgadus tomcod
Melanie Smith. 2020. Exploring expression of tp53 in Zebrafish, Danio rerio, in response to exogenous cannabinoids and stress.
Jenna Nauss. 2020. Exploring differential gene expression in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in response to mercury exposure.
Sydney Tonner (Co-Supervised with Dr Dave Shutler). 2020. Putative stress biomarkers in Leach’s storm-petrel (OceanoDroma leucorhoa) during the breeding season.
William Bauer (Co-Supervised with Dr Don Stewart). 2019. A tale of two mussels: molecular characterization of unionid mussels in Guanacaste province, Costa Rica.
Aileen Feschuk (Co-Supervised with Dr Todd Smith): 2019. Exploring differential gene expression of antimicrobial peptides of the green frog, Rana clamitans.
Kassandra Kelbratowski (Co-Supervised with Dr Kirk Hillier): 2019. Plasticity of pheromone chemistry and female olfactory sensitivity in the tobacco budworm moth Heliothis virescens.
Allie Scovil. 2019. Exploring differential gene expression during wound healing and regeneration in Asterias rubens.
Jack Guthrie (Co-Supervised with Dr Brian Wilson): 2019. The effects of stress on the endocannabinoid receptor system in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Casi Sutherland (Co-Supervised with Dr Dave Shutler):2019. Identification of stress biomarkers in leach’s storm petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) on Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia. Did not complete due to acceptance into veterinary school.
Zachary Visser. 2019. Differential Gene Regulation of promising anti-cancer compounds in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Chemistry major.
Anna Murphy (Co-Supervised with Dr Mike Stokesbury): 2019. Identification and characterization of protease activity and protein biomarkers of stress in the epidermal mucus of the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus).
Alexandra Brown 2018. Identification and characterization of northern squid species using quantitative real time PCR.
Claire Bullock (Co-Supervised with Dr Todd Smith): 2018. Influence of epidermal mucus proteins from green frogs, infected by Hepatozoon clamatae, on attraction of the mosquito, Culex territans.
Hillary Dort (Co-Supervised with Dr Trevor Avery): 2018. Proteomic changes in epidermal mucus profiles of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) as a consequence of catch-and-release.
Cooper Coats (Co-Supervised with Dr Jason Berman): 2018. Exploring CRISPR-Cas9 as a tool for editing zebrafish genomes in the study of childhood diseases.
Makenzie Branch (Co-Supervised with Dr David Langelaan). 2018. Optimization, purification and characterization of multiple transcription factors that play a major role in up-regulation of melanocytes.
Roshni Kollipara (Co-Supervised with Dr Jon Geske). 2018. Development of a diagnostic tools for human and animal health.
Emma Blanche (Co-Supervised with Dr Sophie Cardinal). 2018. Developing molecular and morphological tools to better understand our beneficial native pollinators.
Leah MacLean. 2017. Differential gene expression of transcription factor FoxP3 in zebrafish (Danio rerio); Exploring environmental effects on autoimmunity.
Gillian Johnstone (Co-Supervised with Dr Mark Mallory). 2017. Exploring stress biomarkers in an avian model.
Alexia Hawkey-Noble (Co-Supervised with Dr Martin Kalmikoff). 2017. Microbiological flora of wild vs farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).
Jessica Fahey (Co-Supervised with Dr Hong Shu). 2017. The expression of thermotolerant Campylobacter species recognized by a monoclonal antibody M1169.
Research Topics Students:
2022
Blake Hewins-Higgins: Proteomic analysis of sea star wasting disease
Roman Javorek: Differential gene expression in key molecular signatures of sea stars experiencing sea star wasting disease
Rob Fioretti: What’s killing the silversides off Southwest Cove, Nova Scotia.
Allison Murphy. Exploring parasites of freshwater mussels in Nova Scotia.
Roman Javorek: Exploring sea star wasting disease; Parasite, bacteria or virus?
Holly Turner. The effects of temperature on a invasive species in South West Nova.
2021
Victoria Enserink. Sea star wasting disease and sea star associated densovirus.
Cedric Gravel. Optimization of PCR conditions for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase using Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) tissue.
Meghan Johnston. Temperature range and expression of stress biomarker HSP30 in Leach’s Storm Petrels (OceanoDroma leucorhoa).
Natalie Scheiring. The amplification of sea star-associated densovirus in asterias rubens infected with sea star wasting disease.
2020
Jordi Chaffer. Optimizing primers and employing end-point PCR to detect presence of FoxP3 in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following an increase in dietary sodium.
Victoria Gallant. Essential oils repellency to ticks sensory regions and gene expression for cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase, acetylcholinesterase, and glutathione-S-transferase.
Emily MacNeil. The use of molecular tools to begin the identification of an unknown parasitic cyst found on a guitarfish off the coast of California.
Rebecca Mader. Identification of a potential antifreeze glycoprotein gene in striped bass, Morone saxatilis, from the Bay of Fundy.
Calista Richard. PCR analysis of enzymes Faah2a, Faah2b, and NAPEPLD involved in the production of anandamide.
Olivia Shive. The use of SDS-page to identify and compare paralytic toxins in shellfish from the local market.
Alex Surette. Determining the effects of cannabinol on the expression of MHC Class I and II in Morone saxatilis.
Sydney Tonner. Exploring the presence of sea star associated densovirus in various species of diseased and healthy sea star tissues.
2019
William Bauer. The effects of the Acadia genebank’s cryopreservation procedure on methylation of disease-resistant genes in grapevine.
Kristen Crewe. Oral bacteria diversity of Canis familiaris, Dorset Ovis aries and humans.
Jack Guthrie. Investigating and attempting to sequence antifreeze proteins I-IV in striped bass, Morone saxatilis.
Hillary Maillet. Investigation of possible protein biomarkers of stress in Oceanodroma leucorhoa using a proteomic approach.
Jenna Nauss. Investigation of parasite X, Found in host species Rhinobactos productus, using molecular techniques.
Michaela Okamura. Extracting, quantifying, and analyzing proteins extracted from frozen feces of Alces.
Yoram Scholl. Marketing Plan: Lobster Shell Soil.
Allie Scovil. Exploring behavioural tendencies and effects of stress on the common sea star, Asterias rubens: Genomic analyses through DNA barcoding and sequencing.
Melanie Smith. Unknown ectoparasites collected from the gills and fins of the genera Fundulus and Gillichtrys.
Zachary Visser. The exploration of immune-related genes and the interplay with a resident/transient gut microbiome within the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta).
2018
Emma Blanche. Exploring sex differences in expression of FoxP3 in response to a high-salt diet using a Zebrafish (Danio rerio) model.
Hillary Dort. Using DNA barcoding to identify unknown ectoparasites present on Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)
Varun Dhunna. The use of molecular Techniques Including Polymerase Chain Reaction, Gel Electrophoresis and Amplicon Sequencing in the Identification of a Gyrodactylus spp.
Cooper Coats. Drink like a fish: effects of chronic alcohol exposure on associative learning in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Aileen Feschuk. Investigating the proteins in mucus secreted by Cortinarius spp. In Nova Scotia.
Denver Gilbert. Identifying stress biomarkers in the Nova Scotia population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Riley Lockhart. Identifying the role of mushroom mucus: A genomic analysis of Cortinarius spp.
Hillary Maillet. Investigation of possible protein biomarkers of stress in OceanoDroma leucorhoa using a proteomic approach.
Mark O’Reilly. Isolation and sequencing of the partial coding sequence of an antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) gene in Microgadus tomcod and suggestions for novel identification of AFGP genes.
Liam Rappoldt. Studying the chemical ecology of stress communication in zebrafish (Danio rerio) by protein secretions in epidermal mucosa.
Alexandra Candice Robart. (Co-Supervisor with Dr Laura Ferguson). Investigation of the presence of Wolbachia spp. in several Lepidoptera and Drosophila species using molecular techniques: A research topics study.
Rebecca Strachan. Study on the effects of stress on protein content in the epidermal mucus of zebra fish (Danio rerio).
Taylor Luck. Media testing in an aquaponics system: hydroton expanded clay pellets in comparison to recycled glass growstones.
Emily Anderson. Determining partial DNA sequence of Ligictaluridus monticellii using DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis with primers from the Ancyrocephalidae family.
2017
Chantalle Byron. Identification of stress biomarkers in white-tailed deer in nova scotia and their relation to environmental factors.
Makenzie Branch. Isolation and identification of the robust and diverse microbial colonies found within a healthy aquaponics system.
Alexandra Brown. Proteomic Changes in Epidermal Mucus Profiles of Morone saxatilis in Response to Stress.
Claire Bullock. A preliminary exploration of the mucosal proteome of Rana clamitans with and without the presence of a low Hepatazoon clamatae infection.
Cooper Coats. The effects of alcohol on the structure and function of the blood brain barrier in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Todd Dow. A discovery study of the effects of stress on protein content in the epidermal
mucus of zebra fish (Danio rerio).
Alexia Hawkey-Noble. Phylogenetic insight on the channel catfish parasite Ligictaluridus mirabilis.
Gillian Johnstone. Phylogenetic determination of Ligictaluridus pricei.
Roshni Kollipara. Modifying fructose transporters in Escherichia coli.
Jordan Kruisselbrink. Phylogenetic determination of the fish parasite Ligictaluridis bychowskyi.
Leah MacLean. Molecular analysis of Ligictaluridas phylogeny with emphasis on L. bychowskyi.
Rebecca Strachan. Study on the effects of stress on the protein content of the epidermal mucus of zebra fish (Danio Rerio).