Neoparamoeba perurans: Its unique microbiome and impact on Amoebic Gill Disease and Gill Health in salmon
PhD hypothesis:
- The severity of AGD is associated with the complex relationship between Neoparamoeba and its bacteria and in particular, the influence of the intracellular (and most abundant) Vibrio species, a pathogen itself.
PhD aim:
- To understand whether the N. perurans microbiome influences host-pathogen interactions.
PhD objectives:
- Verify that Vibrio species are associated with N. perurans, through the analysis of multiple isolates and detect them from the surrounding environments.
- Create a map, linking presence of Vibrio to presence of N. perurans.
- Explore whether Vibrio species can be sentinels of AGD outbreaks, along with other parameters e.g. seasonality, water temperature.
- Investigate if Vibrio presence increase severity of AGD.
Contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @EmmaOHalloran20
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/emma-ohalloran
Funding awards:
- MASTS-SFC Saltire Researcher Exchange grant: SERS1-17 Developing techniques to study Neoparamoeba species isolated from sea urchins. Emma O’Halloran (University West of Scotland) visiting University de la Laguna, Tenerife.
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
- O’Halloran, E., Mooney, R., Rodgers, K., & Henriquez, F. L. (2022) Microbial Interactions That Contribute to Gill Disease in Aquaculture. Parasitologia, 2(4), 266-291.