Elysia chlorotica: An emerging gene transfer story:

An interview with Professor Mary E. Rumpho, University of Maine

The International Symbiosis Society is consistently interested in highlighting groundbreaking research in the various symbiosis sub-fields, One such area that may shed light on the possible gene exchange basis of some symbiotic systems is that of "kleptoplasty," the sequestering of foreign plastids in what usually would be considered a heterotrophic host. This is most evident among certain naked molluscs, or sea slugs.

In 2004, through the facilities and support of Boston University program, Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Teach Biology, I conducted a studio interview with Mary Rumpho,, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology at the University of Maine, on her pioneering work with Elysia chlorotica and the plastids of Vaucheria littorea.

The Society expresses its sincere gratitude to Mary for taking the time to share her work through this venue. We also wish to thank Swapna Chalam, instructor and doctoral student at Boston University, without whose dedicated technical assistance, this project could not have reached fruition.

This interview can be accessed by hitting the linkage button below. Please note that you will only be able to access the video if you are connected to a DSL, cable modem, or Ethernet system, such as what is found at most academic institutions. The video was uploaded to our web site as a "streaming video," such that you would not have to await the full loading of it directly onto your system.

Enjoy the session. The video runs about a half hour. I think you will find it a worthwhile viewing/listening experience...

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THE VIDEO:

Rumpho, M.E., E. Summer, B. Green R. Kennedy, and J. Manhart. 2002. Mollusc/algal chloroplast symbiosis: How can isolated chloroplasts continue to function for months in the cytosol of a sea slug in the absence of an algal nucleus? Zoology 104:303-312.

Rumpho M.E., J.R. Manhart, and E.J. Summer. 2000. Solar-powered sea slugs: the mollusk/algal chloroplast symbiosis. Plant Physiology 123:29-38.

Green B.J., W-y Li, J.R. Manhart, T.C. Fox, E.J. Summer, R.A. Kennedy, S.K. Pierce, and M.E. Rumpho. 2000. Mollusc-algal chloroplast endosymbiosis: photosynthesis, thylakoid protein maintenance, and chloroplast gene expression continue for many months in the absence of the algal nucleus. Plant Physiology 124:331-342.

Pierce S.K., T.K. Maugel, M.E. Rumpho, J.J. Hanten, and W.L. Mondy. 1999. Annual viral expression in a sea slug population: Life cycle control and symbiotic chloroplast maintenance. Biological Bulletin 197:1-6.

Also, see or request Volume 1, No. 2, 2001 of the International Symbiosis Society newsletter, Symbiosis International.

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