| Position:Professor Education: Ph.D., Biochemistry, 1978, Ph.D., Zoology, 1980 National University LaPlata, Argentina Email:vasta@umbi.umd.edu Voice: (410) 234-8826 Mailing info COMB Faculty Directory |
Research OverviewLectins Lectins are proteins that bind specifically to carbohydrates. They do this by virtue of their specific affinity for particular sugar sequences found in the sugar chains contained in those carbohydrates. Molecular Recognition and Host Defenses One of the important ways that organisms defend against invading pathogens is by means of molecular recognition. This usually is accomplished by proteins that recognize specific molecules that are characteristic of the pathogenic organism. When these molecules are recognize, they trigger biochemical pathways that help the organisms defend themselves against the invaders. Immunology Immune systems involve cells and large families of proteins that can recognize and neutralize invading pathogens by virtue of the specific molecules that they contain. | Research DescriptionResearch Areas: Biochemistry/Immunology
Research Specialties: Molecular aspects and evolution of the acute phase response in vertebrates and invertebrates, structurelfunction relationships in carbohydrate-binding proteins: role of S- and C-type lectins in development and internal defense, molecular and biological aspects of hostlparasite interactions, disease prevention, diagnostic and control in fisheries and aquaculture. Research Interests My research interests are focused on mechanisms of internal defense against disease and developmental processes in marine organisms, with particular emphasis on protein- carbohydrate interactions. The current programs in my laboratory include the molecular aspects and evolution of acute phase response factors in both invertebrates such as oysters, crabs and sea squirts, and cold-blooded vertebrates such as finfish. Our continued research studies on the molecular recognition mechanisms in marine invertebrates have resulted in the isolation of a number of C-type lectins from the marine protochordate Clavelina picta, commonly known as "clear sea squirt". From the functional point of view, one of the most intriguing aspects of these molecules resides on the fact that they interact with bacterial strains from the environment and with sulfated galactans that constitute the tunic. The novel hypothesis we have developed points to these mosaic... Complete Information... |
Representative PublicationsQuesenberry, M. S., K. Saito, D. N. Krupatkina, J. A. F. Robledo, T. Drgon, W. T. Pecher, N. O?eary, M. Alavi, T. Miller, R. E. Schneider, R. Belas, J. R. Deeds, A. R. Place, Y. Zohar, and G.R. Vasta. 2002. Bioassay for ichthyocidal activity of Pfiesteria piscicida: Characterization of a culture flask assay format. J. Appl. Phycol. (In press). Gauthier, J. D. and Vasta G. R. 2002. Effects of plasma from bivalve mollusk species on the in vitro proliferation of the parasite Perkinsus marinus. Differential uptake of trophozoites by hemocytes from the oysters Crassostrea virginica and C. gigas. J. Exp. Zool (In press). Coss, C. A., Robledo, J .A. F., Ruiz, G., Vasta, G. R. 2001. Description of Perkinsus andrewsi n. sp. isolated from the Baltic clam (Macoma balthica) by characterization of the ribosomal RNA locus, and development of a species-specific PCR-based diagnostic assay. J. Euk. Microbiol., 48: 52-61. Complete Listing... |
