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Ecological Immunology and Pathogen Resistance of Amphibians in Stressed Great Lakes Ecosystems
This multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary research program hypothesizes that contaminants will depress immunocompetence and pathogen resistance of amphibians of the Great Lakes. The project will test the impacts of two congeners of PCB (126, 70), one heavy metal (Cd), and a mix of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the immunocompetence of leopard frogs exposed during development. The resistance of contaminant- and noncontaminant-exposed frogs to three types of pathogens common in microbially contaminated habitats in the Great Lakes will then be evaluated. The researchers will develop biomarkers for immunocompetence in amphibians for use by natural resource managers for diagnostic and remediation purposes in the Great Lakes region and will facilitate prediction of toxicological effects on amphibians at other times and/or other regions. Knowledge about the sensitivity of a native frog to PBDEs and infection from pathogens common in microbially contaminated habitats in the Great Lakes will be extended.
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