[All-postdocs] Bioseminar - Shelly Wanamaker

Tue May 28 09:43:39 EDT 2024

Hi all,

I'm excited to host our seminar speaker for this week, Dr. Shelly Wanamaker. I want to make sure she has a productive visit. If you're interested in meeting with Dr. Wanamaker before or after her seminar, please email me so we can set up a time!

We also have space for folks to join Dr. Wanamaker for lunch after her seminar. Priority will be given to students and postdocs.

Looking forward to seeing a good audience for Thursday's seminar!

Best,
Yaamini R. Venkataraman, Ph.D
NSF PRFB Postdoctoral Fellow
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
yaamini.venkataraman at whoi.edu<mailto:yaaminiv at uw.edu> | yaaminiv.github.io<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyaaminiv.github.io%2F&data=05%7C02%7Call-postdocs%40whoi.edu%7Cacfcb38e8a674706103d08dc7f1c2e9f%7Cd44c5cc6d18c46cc8abd4fdf5b6e5944%7C0%7C0%7C638525006225460211%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lnt%2F7MVUnzH%2F5Bky%2B4%2Bmge6sDTGVhjwKMQMi8EHW%2BLE%3D&reserved=0>
Pronouns: she, her, hers (what's this?<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.glsen.org%2Farticle%2Fpronouns-resource-educators&data=05%7C02%7Call-postdocs%40whoi.edu%7Cacfcb38e8a674706103d08dc7f1c2e9f%7Cd44c5cc6d18c46cc8abd4fdf5b6e5944%7C0%7C0%7C638525006225460211%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IbevGLv2HpichaljO34Y4sRi0d1krp4da9Clvg0npWw%3D&reserved=0>)
________________________________
From: all-postdocs-bounces at whoi.edu <all-postdocs-bounces at whoi.edu> on behalf of Ana M Velez <ana.velez at whoi.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 9:25 AM
To: biodep at whoi.edu <biodep at whoi.edu>; jp-bio-students at mit.edu <jp-bio-students at mit.edu>; all-postdocs at whoi.edu <all-postdocs at whoi.edu>
Subject: [All-postdocs] Bioseminar - Shelly Wanamaker

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Biology Department Seminar

Thursday, May 30, 2024 – 12:00 Noon

Shelly Wanamaker

Research Scientist, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute

Genetic Diagnostics for Rapid Detection of Domoic Acid-Producing Pseudo-Nitzschia Species

Pseudo-nitzschia, a pennate diatom found globally, can produce the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) that causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) in both humans and marine life. To protect against ASP, environmental managers use light microscopy to enumerate Pseudo-nitzschia cells as an indicator of bloom activity. But this method does not distinguish species or toxicity, which are dynamic in blooms, creating a need for rapid tests. Existing lab-based tests for determining which species are present and accurately measuring toxicity require technical expertise and >24 hours to get results, leading to suboptimal response.  Alternative genetic methods like isothermal amplification coupled with CRISPR/Cas detection have high sensitivity and specificity and can be simplified to user-friendly, portable hand-held devices for detecting multiple genetic targets in less than 1 hour. We developed LAMP + CRISPR and qPCR assays to do genetic monitoring of species associated with toxicity and of toxin gene expression, indicating likelihood of DA production. We have tested a range of samples from synthetic target, genomic extracts from cultures, and field samples, and are able to detect DNA and RNA targets similarly across LAMP + CRISPR and qPCR assays. Alongside improved monitoring efficiency, these tests would allow resource managers to have earlier knowledge of toxic events and species present to make more informed decisions that support both the shellfish industry and public health.

HYBRID! In Person: Redfield Auditorium Zoom: https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/j/97000865816 Meeting ID: 970 0086 5816 By phone: Find your local number: https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/u/adIvMow3LQ

For questions, contact:

Ana María Vélez

Administrative Associate

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