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My research for 2004-2005 is on two focus areas. First, I am interested in the microsporidian spores of Spraguea lophii, an intracellular parasite which invades the large supramedullary neurons of the anglerfish, Lophius americanus. S. lophii is in approximately 90% of the anglers in the western Atlantic. The goal is to work out how this infection takes place. Secondly, S. lophii spores have an extrusion apparatus which when activated fires an invasion tube with millisceond veloity. Evidence indicates the extrusion apparatus turns itself inside-out as it fires and sends the spore contents into sac which develops from the membrane of the extruded apparatus. Where does the energy come from for this discharge event? This is suitable parasite to work on because it has acquired some spectacular adaptations and it is very well represented in nature.
Selected PublicationsWeidner, E. and A. Findley. 2003 Catalase in microsporidian spores before and during discharge. Biol. Bull. 205: 236-237.
Weidner, E. and A. Findley. 2002 Peroxisomal catalase in the extrusion apparatus posterior vacuole of microsporidian spores. Biol. Bull. 203:212.
Weidner, E. 2001 Microsporidian spore/sporoplasm
dynactin in Spraguea. 2001 Biol. Bull. 201:245-246.
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