Research Interests

My research focuses on the interactions between marine shellfish and pathogenic microorganisms, including the mechanisms of resistance to pathogens and diseases, and the effect of environmental factors on these interactions. My current research projects cover host pathogen interactions at different scales and my approach to addressing these issues involves field studies and laboratory experiments.

I am particularly interested in the early interactions between waterborne pathogens and their bivalve hosts. With funding form the National Science Foundation (NSF, co-funded by the National Institute of Health), we have been investigating the implication of marine aggregates (flocs, marine snow) as reservoirs and vectors for infectious microorganisms. My students and I are particularly looking into the mechanism and factors influencing the colonization of host tissues, including factors controlling the adhesion/attachment of parasites at their portal of entry. Because the limit between feeding, symbiosis and parasitism is very thin, particularly with regard to common principles of particle processing at first encounter with the bivalve, our investigations are currently complemented by another NSF-funded project that specifically targets the interactions between suspension-feeding bivalves and suspended particles in the framework of predator-prey associations.

Another important research activity currently underway in my lab is the investigations of Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX), a fatal protistan parasite affecting the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria. In addition to a large field surveillance program that uses both traditional (histopathology) and modern (quantitative Real-Time PCR) techniques to unravel disease dynamics in situ, we investigate host-pathogen interactions at cellular and molecular scales. With funding from NOAA’s New York Sea Grant Institute, we are currently investigating the effect of major environmental factors on clam defense system, disease development and resulting clam mortality. With additional financial support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, we are developing gene expression studies and DNA microarrays (DNA chips) to unravel clam's immune response to the infection.

Funding agencies sponsoring current research include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration (NOAA, through the New York Sea Grant and the Rhode Island Sea Grant Programs), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information about these projects and other activities, please visit: http://somas.stonybrook.edu/~MADL/allam.html

Recent Publications (2005-2007)

Gobler C.J., Berry D.L., Anderson O.R., Burson A., Koch F., Rodgers B.S., Moore L.K., Goleski J.A., Allam B., Bowser P., Tang Y., Nuzzi R. Characterization, dynamics, and ecological impacts of harmful Cochlodinium polykrikoides blooms on eastern Long Island, NY, USA. Harmful Algae. In Press.

Lyons M.M., Lau Y.-T., Carden W.E., Ward J.E., Roberts S.B., Smolowitz R., Vallino J., Allam B. Characteristics of marine aggregates in shallow ecosystems: Implications for disease ecology. Ecohealth. In Press. (DOI: 10.1007/s10393-007-0134-0. Available online at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1612-9202

Dahl, S.F., Allam, B. (2007). Laboratory transmission studies of QPX disease in the hard clam: Development of an infection procedure. Journal of Shellfish Research 26: 383-389.

Qian H., Liu Q., Allam B., Collier J.L. (2007). Molecular genetic variation within and among isolates of QPX (Thraustochytridae), a parasite of the hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 77: 159-168.

Buggé D, Allam B. (2007). Effects of starvation and macroalgae extracts on the survival and growth of Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 348: 60-69.

Buggé D, Hégaret H, Wikfors G, Allam B. (2007). Oxidative burst in hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) haemocytes. Fish and Shellfish Immunology 23(1): 188-196.

Pales Espinosa E., Barillé L., Allam B. (2007). Use of encapsulated live microalgae to investigate pre-ingestive selection in Crassostrea gigas. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 343:118-126.

Pales Espinosa E., Allam B. (2006). Comparative growth and survival of juvenile hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria, fed commercially available diets. Zoo Biology 25: 513-525.

Moss B., Allam B. (2006). Fluorometric measurement of oxidative burst in lobster hemocytes and inhibiting effect of pathogenic bacteria and hypoxia. Journal of Shellfish Research 25(3): 1051-1057.

Boettcher K., Smolowitz R., Lewis E., Allam B., Dickerson H., Ford S., Huq A., Reece K., Rivara G., Maloy A., Woodley C. (2006). Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD) in Crassostrea virginica: synthesis of knowledge and recommendations. Journal of Shellfish Research 25(2): 683-686.

Allam B., Ford S.E. (2006). Effects of the pathogenic Vibrio tapetis on different bivalve species: I. hemocyte changes following in vitro challenge. Fish and Shellfish Immunology 20: 374-383.

Allam B., Paillard C., Auffret M., Ford S.E. (2006). Effects of the pathogenic Vibrio tapetis on different bivalve species: II. hemocyte and humoral changes following in vivo challenge. Fish and Shellfish Immunology 20: 384-397.

Buggé D.M., Allam B. (2005). A fluorometric technique for the in vitro measurement of growth and viability in Quahog Parasite Unknown. Journal of Shellfish Research 24: 1013-1018.

Dove A.D.M., Allam B., Powers J.J., Sokolowski M.S. (2005). A prolonged thermal stress experiment on the American lobster, Homarus americanus. Journal of Shellfish Research 24: 761-765.