People | Adam G. Marsh

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• B.A., English Literature, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1981.
• B.A., Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1981.
• M.S., Invertebrate Zoology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1984.
• Ph.D., Marine Ecology and Enviornmental Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1989.

Molecular and biochemical mechanisms that determine growth and metabolism during early development in larvae from extreme environments: 1) gene expression, RNA processing and turnover; 2) protein metabolism and turnover; 3) cellular physiology and energetics; 4) organismal development and growth.

Regulation of developmental rates in Antarctic marine invertebrates
More information here: /neatstuff/McMurdo/index.html

Polar invertebrates exhibit extended periods of embryonic and larval development when compared to temperate species. Recently my work has demonstrated that despite this slow course of development, metabolic activities in some polar embryos and larvae are temperature compensated, and equivalent to comparable rates in temperate species. I am trying to identify the biochemical mechanism by which low temperatures set developmental rates in these polar species.

Larval dispersal and physiology of hydrothermal vent invertebrates

In addition to being cold, deep-sea habitats have the added environmental parameter of pressure to contend with. I have recently worked with a team to develop the first high-pressure larval culture system capable of incubating the eggs of the tube-worm Riftia pachytilia at ambient temperatures and pressures (250 ATM = 3,675 PSI). This system will allow for future research into the metabolic and biochemical events that set developmental rates in the deep-sea invertebrates and determine their dispersal potential.

Proteomics and Bioinformatics

I am quantifying the metabolic diversity and complexity of developmental processes by the pattern analysis of 2D-PAGE protein gels. I have written a program to compare multiple sets of gels and derive several statistics on the comparative patterns in those gels based on information theory. This approach to understanding metabolic patterns in terms of the physiological diversity and complexity within an organism is a fundamental component of my other research projects.

Oyster disease research

The protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus is a virulent pathogen of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. I am interested in looking at the ability of this parasite to infect the larval stage of the oyster and the subsequent impacts on larval recruitment. The research is focusing on characterizing the molecular response of a larva to the presence of P. marinus, with the goal of identifying biochemical markers that may provide some margin of disease resistance.

Regulation of larval developmental modes

A few invertebrate species are able to produce two distinct larval forms (poicilogeny). Such developmental switching provides a unique comparative opportunity to describe the molecular and biochemical events associated with the embryology of a specific larval form. I am assessing the diversity and complexity of developmental switching in the polychaete Streblospio benedicti to determine its molecular basis and ecological/evolutionary impacts.

Cindi A. Hoover, Ph.D. Student, Marine Biosciences (B.S., Biology, College of William and Mary, 2000; M.S. Marine Studies, University of Delaware, 2003). Research interests: Molecular basis for chemical defenses/secondary metabolite production in marine organisms; links between gene expression, phenotypic plasticity, and environmental changes.

Lindsay R. Kendall, Ph.D. Student, Marine Biosciences (B.S., Cedar Crest College, 2002) Research Interest: Marine conservation and ecology.

Tracy L. Szela, M.S. Student, Marine Biosciences (B.S., Richard Stockton College, 1999). Research Interests: Cephalopod reproductive biology and population dynamics.

Paul N. Ulrich, Ph.D. Student, Marine Biosciences (M.S., University of Delaware 2003). Research Interests: The relative stability of Antarctic coastal waters and the dynamic nature of temperate estuaries are likely reflected in the approaches organisms take to survive in their respective environments. My research focuses on the impact of environmental perturbations on the proteomes and mitochondrial physiology of invertebrates with particular emphasis on temperate and Antarctic bivalves.

MAST 634: Marine Biochemistry: A detailed examination of the metabolic biochemical processes that are relevant for understanding the molecular diversity environments. An emphasis is placed on understanding the structure and function adaptive context. This is a core course requirement in the MBB program.

Click here to explore the structure/function interaction of proteins. In Marine Biochemistry (MAST 634), students are challenged with an imdependent project to bridge the interface between proteiins and life.

MAST 821: Marine Biosciences Seminar EPIGENETICS

The magazine SCIENCE (10 August 2001; Vol 293, No. 5532) presents a 40-page review section on Epigenetics, published as 11 articles from pp. 1063-1105. This seminar course discusses this developing field with a specific emphasis on describing 'emergent' behaviors in genetic systems.

1999 Marsh, A.G., and D.T. Manahan A method for accurate measurements of the respiration rates of marine invertebrate embryos and larvae.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 184, 1-10.

1999 Marsh, A.G., P. Leong, and D.T. Manahan. Energy metabolism during embryonic development and larval growth of an Antarctic sea urchin.
J. Experimental Biology, 202, 2041-2050.

2000 Marsh, A.G. and D. T. Manahan Metabolic differences between 'demersal' and 'pelagic' development of the Antarctic sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri.
Marine Biology, 137, 215-222.

2000 Marsh, A.G., P. Leong, and D.T. Manahan. Gene expression and enzyme activities of the sodium pump during sea urchin development: implications for indices of physiological state.
Biological Bulletin, 199, 100-107.

2001 Marsh, A.G., R. Maxson, and D.M. Manahan. High macromolecular synthesis with low metabolic cost in Antarctic sea urchin embryos.
Science, 291, 1950-1952

2001 Marsh, A.G., L. Mullineaux, C. Young and D. Manahan Larval dispersal potential of the tubeworm Riftia pachyptila at deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
Nature 411, 77-80

2001 Marsh, A.G., S. Cohen and C.E. Epifanio Larval energy metabolism and physiological variability in the Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 218, 303-309