Department of Environmental & Aquatic Animal Health - Facilities

Laboratories of the Department of Environmental & Aquatic Animal Health are located in Chesapeake Bay, Watermen’s and Byrd Halls. The Department laboratories in Chesapeake Bay Hall are equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for studies on environmental chemistry, toxicology, immunology, electron microscopy, pathobiology, and microbiology.

Analytical instrumentation is available to identify and quantify a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants in water, sediment and biota. This allows faculty and students to develop new analytical methodologies, detect emerging contaminants and track pollutants in the environment at trace levels. For example, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer is available for measuring heavy metals at low ambient concentrations. GCs, HPLCs, mass spectrometers and enhanced solvent extractors are maintained for the determination of organic pollutants.

Genetic analyses of pathogenic organisms are performed using an automated DNA sequencer, polymerase chain reactor (PCR), and associated electrophoretic and imaging equipment. State-of-the-art electron microscopes allow identification of microorganisms (e.g. Pfiesteria) and ultrastructural analysis of diseased organisms, supplementing traditional light microscopy.

Instrumentation is available for sophisticated research on enzyme systems that play a role in detoxification of chemicals and lipids that play a role in accumulation of hydrophobic chemicals and in resistance to some disease organisms. The immunology laboratory has the capability to produce monoclonal antibodies for a variety of antigens.

A flowing saltwater laboratory facility in Byrd Hall allows exposure of animals to contaminants or pathogens. Colonies of several species of fish and invertebrates are maintained to provide test animals for various studies. Equipment is available to maintain additional species as needed for particular studies. The facility also houses exposure tanks especially adapted for toxicology. A freshwater laboratory devoted to study of coldwater fish is available in Chesapeake Bay Hall. A separate BSL3 laboratory is available for assaying the biotoxicity of Pfiesteria and other hazardous organisms to fish.

(This page was last updated 04/10/2003 14:57 )