Shellfish like oysters and mussels have the potential to revolutionize human health research, according to a new paper in Developmental and Comparative Immunology.
The study reveals how using bivalves as model organisms offers numerous promising avenues for medical research – from pharmaceutical development to bone regeneration.
“Model systems like mice and flies have been invaluable to biology, but there is no such thing as a model system that can answer all the important questions,” said José Fernández Robledo, senior research scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and lead author on the paper. “There is a lot of potential for bivalve research to offer unique insights into new solutions.”
One promising application in the study is the development of new techniques for fighting diseases from the flu to cancer. Just like humans, oysters are exposed to bacteria and viruses, but oysters fend off these pathogens without the aid of antibodies, the proteins that mammal immune systems use to attack disease. Clams sometimes contract a contagious cancer, which they can cure themselves of – also without antibodies. Learning more about these unique defense mechanisms could inspire new treatment options for human pathologies and diseases.
“Clams don’t have chemotherapy or radiation, and somehow they are able to get rid of cancer,” said Fernández Robledo. “How on earth do they do it? Their strategy can give us clues about how to fight cancer in humans.”
Studying immunity in bivalves could also help researchers find an alternative to antibiotics, potent drugs to which pathogens are increasingly becoming resistant. Mimicking the antimicrobial compounds that mussels produce may yield new drugs for humans and livestock, which could provide a much-needed pharmaceutical alternative. The study also identifies that oyster research could also inspire new biomaterials, inform toxicology research, increase understanding of the human microbiome, and improve methods of aiding bone growth and repair.
“Sometimes you find incredible new things when you start comparing different organisms,” said Fernández Robledo. “I believe we will find things here that will translate into discoveries for humans.”
Currently, Fernández Robledo’s team is working to develop the molecular tools needed to probe bivalve genomes for the lessons they can offer. Researchers recently sequenced the oyster genome and found it to have 28,027 genes, but they don’t yet know what most of these genes do. Developing genetic tools will allow researchers to connect the information contained in the oyster genome to the function of those genes, called the oyster’s “phenome.”
Adrienne Tracy, a Colby College student in the 2018 Changing Oceans semester program at Bigelow Laboratory, recently was able to introduce DNA into oyster blood cells in Fernández Robledo’s biosecure laboratory. This critical step is opening the door for testing hypotheses about the function of specific genes and further exploration using tools like CRISPR/Cas9. Fernández Robledo also hopes to develop an oyster cell culture that would enable researchers around the world to work from a genetically uniform stock, allowing them to compare results directly.
This research can also benefit the shellfish aquaculture industry. As his team is able to probe the oyster genome further, Fernández Robledo plans to write recommendations that help guide farmers and hatcheries who want to selectively breed their bivalve stocks for resistance to disease or other characteristics like strong shells and rapid growth.
“Oysters are more than good to eat,” Fernández Robledo said. “This research will allow us to unlock their potential as a model system that helps us innovate and improve human health.”
Learn more: Study Identifies Biomedical Potential of Bivalves
The Latest on: Shellfish research
[google_news title=”” keyword=”shellfish research” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Shellfish research
- Scientists say many shellfish contain potentially carcinogenic chemicalson May 9, 2024 at 5:04 am
With magnesium, copper, iodine and selenium, shellfish are packed with minerals, and are a good source of vitamins B3 and B5. However, research led by scientists at Dartmouth College in the United ...
- Spring survey is finding relatively low numbers of scallops in Peconic Bayon May 8, 2024 at 3:09 pm
Researchers remain hopeful that a greater understanding of the problems plaguing the shellfish could help restore the species.
- How a filmmaker, a pile of old shells and a bunch of amateurs are bringing Australia's oyster reefs backon May 7, 2024 at 10:13 am
Around Australia, hundreds of people are coming together to help a once-prized, but decimated and largely forgotten marine ecosystem. They're busy restoring Australia's native oyster and mussel reefs.
- Escarg-no: Fake snail shells created by Northwestern students will be used to lure in sea predators for researchon May 6, 2024 at 6:56 am
The shells are turned into GastroPops, a treat used to lure predators so researchers can study their behavior. The students will travel to Miami later this month to test the treats in the field.
- Mussel shells are changing as the ocean warms, study findson May 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm
New research shows that mussels from several East Coast locations ... we need to think about how can we decrease our carbon emissions to slow down the warming,” she said. Shellfish use calcium and ...
- Oyster researcher stars in billboard exhibitionon May 2, 2024 at 4:55 pm
A leading University of Essex ecologist has become a billboard star at one of Britain’s busiest railway stations. Prof Tom Cameron has undertaken research on Mersea Island, near Colchester, to help ...
- Shellfish industry on a 'knife edge' as sewage dumped in designated waters for 192,000 hours last yearon May 1, 2024 at 2:27 pm
Untreated sewage was released into designated shellfish waters for 192,000 hours last year, new research has found. The dirty water pouring into English seas was a 20% jump from 159,000 hours in ...
- UK shellfish, seaweed farms offer valuable habitats for coastal fishon April 30, 2024 at 11:13 pm
Surveys suggest mussel and seaweed farms could create new feeding grounds for fish of commercial and ecological importance ...
- 'Stitch up' for shellfish industry as sewage dumped in designated waters for 192,000 hours last yearon April 30, 2024 at 8:16 am
Untreated sewage was released into designated shellfish waters for 192,000 hours last year, new research has found. The dirty water pouring into English seas was a 20% jump from 159,000 hours in 2022, ...
- British shellfish and seaweed farms could provide valuable habitats for coastal fish species, according to new researchon April 26, 2024 at 12:54 am
Shellfish and seaweed farming offer potentially sustainable food sources and are increasingly recognised for their additional environmental benefits, but research into their value for fish populations ...
via Bing News