Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

A broad understanding of animal immunology requires understanding the diversity of specialized immune-related molecules in species from diverse evolutionary linages. This is especially true for innate immune responses which are fundamental immunological processes shared by vertebrate and invertebrate animals. However, our current understanding of innate immunity is focused on model organisms such as humans and mice; where extensive genomic resources exist. Our understanding of the breadth and scope of innate immune responses in non-model species has been limited by our inability to use high-through genomic approaches. Recent advances in genomic sequencing technology permit the comprehensive examination and discovery of immune-related transcripts in non-model organisms. Novel immune molecule discovery will require pathogen challenge experiments accompanied by differential expression and bioinformatic analysis and directed functional assays to comprehensively assign biological function.The Arthropoda phylum encompasses the most abundant and biologically successful animals on earth; with the oceans dominated by diverse species of crustaceans. Comparative innate immunology in invertebrates has largely focused on terrestrial invertebrates such as Drosophila spp. This has left major gaps in our knowledge of crustacean immunology. Traditional approaches to crustacean immunology relied on light and electron microscopy approaches. The application of high-throughput sequencing approaches holds great promise for significantly expanding our understanding of invertebrate immunology.I have recently generated multiple transcriptomes of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) under pathogen and environmental stress challenges; as well as transcriptomes from several crustacean species which share habitats with H. americanus. These transcriptomic resources represent an exciting basis for examining comparative immunology at both the bioinformatic and functional level. The long-term goals of my research program focus on understanding the capabilities and mechanisms underlying crustacean innate immunity. I have three major objectives for this proposal:Objective 1. To determine the conservation and diversity of pattern recognition receptors, Toll-like receptor and Immunodeficiency intracellular signaling molecules and antimicrobial peptides among decapod crustaceans. Objective 2. To discover and functionally annotate American lobster (Homarus americanus) genes involved in responding to bacterial infection. Objective 3. To characterize the bioactivity of antimicrobial peptides against a panel of specific and opportunistic pathogens of marine crustaceans.These studies will broaden our understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying Homarus americanus innate immunity specifically, and invertebrate immunology more broadly.