STRESS BIOMARKERS IN EPIDERMAL MUCUS OF MARINE FISHES

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Fish diversity and abundance is affected by several factors, including natural stressors (e.g. temperature, pH and predators) as well as anthropogenic stressors (e.g. habitat loss and pollution). As our climate changes, fish are presented with a variety of environmental stressors to which they must either adapt or perish. When a fish is stressed, bioreactive compounds (e.g. proteins) are released from tissues and organs such as the gill, skin, liver, spleen and kidney and can collect in the mucus of fish. Biomarkers can act as warning signs of physiological disturbances or stress leading to a loss of homeostasis. These stressors can also affect the regulation of genes responsible for protein translation, and therefore mechanisms of adaptation can also be detected in the DNA and RNA of fish tissues. By examining how these changes are affected by age, sex and other physiological determinants, I will increase our understanding of the trade-offs fish may be making to survive in our changing environment. This novel approach involves testing of hypotheses regarding the metabolic significance of these changes. My research program explores the identification of epidermal mucus protein biomarkers in response to stress in fish. Over the next 5 years I will bring my expertise to bear on identifying proteins in the epidermal mucus of marine fishes and exploring changes in abundance and diversity of these proteins in response to specific environmental stressors. My last 3 years in an academic appointment has resulted in supervision and training of 16 Honours students and 21 research topics students. Recently, we have acquired funding that has allowed my students, collaborators and I to explore proteins related to general health and immunity in several fish species including sculpin, haddock, redfish, catfish, striped bass, salmon, trout and cod. I plan to use these biomarkers for future studies examining the presence and extent of specific stressors in fish. The information we acquire will provide several pieces of the puzzle that contribute to a better understanding of the effects of environmental stressors on fish health. This program will also draw together researchers from across the globe and provide a training ground for research on animal stress.