| 研究実績の概要 |
This fiscal year 150 mussels and 150 scallops were collected from Otaru and Akkeshi Hokkaido. Samples were fixed for wax histology in a methanol-based fixative (for laser dissection), as well as a formalin-based fixative (for initial morphological observations). Wax blocks were cut and mounted on glass slides for analysis. Initial observation of the formalin-fix samples showed that at least 1 apicomplexan is likely infecting each sample; In the mussel, a feeding stage was observed, while in the scallop a cyst stage was consistently seen. These were sequenced and a 92% and 93% BLAST identity to Apicomplexa was found, when compared with other sequences in the database. Samples from each of the shellfish were also dissected and stored at -80 C for future work using Nextgen sequencing, with the goal of examining the eukaryotic microbial community.
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| 現在までの達成度 (区分) |
現在までの達成度 (区分)
2: おおむね順調に進展している
理由
The project is moving forward as planned. Fiscal year 2020-2021 was quite interrupted due to the corona virus pandemic. This limited sampling to only a few locations and we were only able to work in the laboratory to a certain degree (e.g., working as a group and training students was difficult). Nonetheless, the core methods for the project were establish and we are confident about the outlook of the project and the ability to conduct more sampling in the future, and process these samples efficiently in the laboratory.
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| 今後の研究の推進方策 |
In fiscal year 2021-2022. We plan to conduct further sampling in other locations within Japan, including the main island (Hiroshima, Enoshima, Okinawa, and Nigata), as well as other locations in Hokkaido including Akkeshi, Lake Saroma/Abashiri, and Hakodate. These samplings largely depend on the ability of marine laboratories to accept visiting researchers and small groups for over-night stays. We would also like to sample additional species of bivalves including geoduck and surfclams. Still, the work on Hokkaido can be accomplished and we have established effective work-protocols in the laboratory to deal with this situation. In the laboratory, we have the specific goals of conducting more histopathology and conducting more laser dissection of samples. Additionally, we would like to conduct sequencing that would shed some light on the diversity of apicomplexan parasites and allow us to design specific probes to stain for apicomplexans. This latter goal will help us 1) identify the location and pathology of the parasites, and 2) facilitate the identification of lifestages that might otherwise go unnoticed. Our overarching goal for this year will be to disseminate some of our findings into international journals.
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