Isolation and Culture

Objective: To provide field sampling support for the Virginia Human Health Cohort Study

To develop and maintain clonal cultures of Pfiesteria and related dinoflagellates and count them using epifluorescence microscopy.

Water samples from monitoring programs or fish kill sites are amended with an algal food source (CCMP 1319, Rhodomonas salina) and incubated.

Using micropipeting techniques, clonal cultures are developed and maintained.

Cultures of dinoflagellates are provided to the VIMS Scanning Electronic Microscopy Laboratory for identification, the Genetics lab for DNA analysis, and the Bioassay facility for challenge studies.

Preserved water samples are prepared for epifluorescence microscopy using various fluorochrome stains.