University of New England

UNE receives $377,000 NSF grant to study thermal stress on two crustacean species

BIDDEFORD - The University of New England has been awarded $377,247 from the National Science Foundation to fund a project that will investigate cellular mechanisms of temperature tolerance in two crustacean species that will help scientists make predictions of the impact of temperature changes (e.g. through global warming) on these crustaceans.

The three-year grant award will be directed by Principal Investigator Markus Frederich, Ph.D., assistant professor Department of Biological Sciences at UNE. The project is titled "RUI: Fast and slow cellular response to thermal stress: the role of AMP activated protein kinase and HSP70 in two decapod crustacean species." 

Research Project
The project will investigate cellular mechanisms of temperature tolerance in two crustacean species using an interdisciplinary approach that combines methods from physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Marine crustaceans are exposed to frequent seasonal and daily temperature changes. Such temperature changes have a profound impact on the animals' energy metabolism and activity. Mechanisms to adapt to both rapid and slower seasonal temperature changes are necessary to maintain a constant supply of cellular energy. Exceeding the ability to adapt to high or low temperatures leads to energy depletion and death of the animals. 

The study will focus on a short-term activation of regulator proteins, and their longer-term expression after temperature stress. The researchers expect to identify and characterize cellular mechanisms that allow marine crustaceans to cope with temperature changes, or that limit survival when exposed to more severe temperature stress.

The study will also enable predictions of the impact of temperature changes (e.g. through global warming) on these crustaceans. Once stress markers have been identified, they can be used to evaluate the stress level of the respective animal.

Findings of the current project can be translated to other invertebrate species, including commercially important crustacean species such as blue crabs, lobsters or shrimps.

In addition, this project will provide participating UNE students with a stronger experience in biological research in order for them to be better equipped for the challenges of the emerging science-based knowledge economy.

National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense." With an annual budget of about $5.91 billion, it is the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.

This award was funded under the NSF's highly competitive Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program, which supports research, by faculty members of predominantly undergraduate institutions through the funding of individual and collaborative research projects.

(Press release posted April 17, 2007)