Project:

Spirochetal dysbiosis affects P. miniata susceptibility to SSWD.

Students:

Angela He, Shinae Yoo, Nadia Reichman

Institution:

LaGuardia Community College,

Mentors:

Thomas Onorato

Abstract:

Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) is a global disease that affects various species of sea stars, causing deadly skin lesions leading to rapid deterioration and death. Ongoing research aims to identify the root cause of SSWD, although there is limited documentation regarding the correlation between SSWD and the microbiome of infected sea stars. Other research has linked microbial dysbiosis, particularly in the numbers of spirochetes in the body wall of sea stars, to an increased susceptibility to SSWD. This project aims to assess potential variations in the spirochete abundance within the body wall and pyloric caeca of the healthy and diseased sea star Patiria miniata to determine the role of spirochetes in a sea star’s susceptibility to SSWD. This project also seeks to identify the species of bacteria present in the microbiome of the sea star Patiria miniata and their effects on sea star Patiria miniata’s health.

Poster:

Team samples: