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Immunological attempts to detect Panulirus argus virus 1 in spiny lobsters leading to the development of an ELISA for a high school science curriculum
Author(s) -
Faulconer Emily Kaye,
Ratzlaff Robert E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.660.3
Subject(s) - panulirus argus , curriculum , virus , antibody , biology , spiny lobster , virology , fishery , zoology , immunology , psychology , crustacean , pedagogy
Panulirus argus virus 1 (PaV1) is pathogenic to the Caribbean spiny lobster and is lethal to the host 30–90 days after infection. The Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, occurs throughout the Caribbean basin roughly from Brazil to Florida. In Florida, it constitutes the single most valuable fishery in the state. Our first objective was to develop an immunological detection assay for the virus. Western blots of rabbit anti‐sera against partially purified virus suggested the presence of antibodies against the virus. Upon further assessment by ELISA using purified PaV1, we determined that the anti‐sera contained mostly antibodies against host tissue antigens. Our second objective was to re‐design the ELISA to fit a high school science curriculum and capture students’ interest in immunology. We used conjugated protein‐A to detect mammalian blood in food. We hope to incorporate the results from our lobster virus efforts to demonstrate how an ELISA might be applied in the study of a new disease. This assay meets classroom safety concerns, can be read visually, and teaches basic immunologic principles. This unit enhances student understanding of immunology by using strategies such as inquiry‐based learning and writing across the curriculum. Funded by The John H. Wallace 2007–2008 Summer Teacher AAI Research Fellowship and the National Science Foundation, Biological Oceanography Program, Award #0452383.