Project:

Spirochetes and the microbiome of the sea star Patiria miniata

Students:

Naomi Gelfer, Annamarie Magana

Institution:

LaGuardia Community College,

Mentors:

Thomas Onorato

Abstract:

Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD), causing fatal skin lesions followed by disfiguration and disintegration, globally infects billions of the keystone organisms, sea stars, of a variety of species. Research is still ongoing to discern the causes of SSWD and its progression, though little is known regarding the effects of SSWD on the microbiomes of infected sea stars; it has been determined that microbial dysbiosis, partially characterized by a loss of the bacteria, spirochete, in the body walls and pyloric caeca of sea stars, occurs in tandem with the decline of a sea star host’s health. By metabarcoding the microbiome of the pyloric caeca, this project identifies spirochete levels in SSWD progression to determine the role that the bacteria plays within it. This project also aims to identify the species of spirochetes that constitute the microbiome of the sea star, Patiria miniata.

Poster:

Team samples: