U.S. GLOBEC: Analysis of Short-Term Growth in Copepods and Larval Fish Using Molecular Markers of Cell Proliferation

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9313676 Stegeman Connecting micro- and broad-scale physical factors to growth in calanoid copepods and larval cod and haddock is essential to the US-GLOBEC Georges Bank Program. Prior methods to measure growth have involved morphometrics, life stage durations, egg production, and indirect biochemical methods, such as the RNA/DNA ratio. Dr. Stegeman will utilize immunohistochemical, histological and fluorometric methods to detect cell proliferation, continuing the application of this technique in marine fish and invertebrates. The method uses monoclonal antibodies to molecular markers of cells synthesizing nuclear DNA to allow quanitification of such cells. An early aim will be to establish which cell and organ proliferation rates most closely reflect overall growth rate, as measured morphometrically in larval fish, and by stage length in copepods. The time scale over which such differences can be measured will be studied in a series of laboratory experiments. Subsequently, they will participate in the US-GLOBEC Process cruises that are being planned, to develop and apply the method at sea. Participation in this study will translate physical measurements of vertical mixing and stratification, that fluctuate as a result of short and long term climatic changes, into an instant assay for the biological effects of such parameters. ***