Aquatic animal health subprogram: Development of a DNA microarray to identify markers of disease in pearl oysters (Pinctada maxima) and to assess overall oyster health

This project used DNA-based technology to study the effects of environmental stress on pearl oysters. During the oyster farming process, oysters are subjected to a range of changes in their environment, such as fluctuating temperature and salinity. These changes are exacerbated by farming practices, during which oysters are exposed to additional stresses, such as routine antifouling and nucleation. All of these factors have the potential to stress oysters, potentially affecting their growth, susceptibility to disease and other important characteristics that decrease productivity. At its most basic level, stress causes changes in the activity of genes in oysters, switching some on and turning others off. It is these changes in gene activity that alter characteristics such as growth rate and susceptibility to disease