My research focus is on the neuropeptide hormones in mollusks and the ecdysteroids in crustaceans.  In mollusks, steroid hormones do not seem to play an important physiological role.  As yet unidentified or little-studied peptide hormones are the primary endocrine signals in this Phylum, and I will continue to study the role of peptide hormones in the annual reproductive cycle of gastropods. 

     In crustaceans, ecdysteroids are important in growth (molting) and reproduction, two processes which must be tightly coupled in females.  With the recent concern about environmental chemicals that can interact with the endocrine system, my research also focuses on assessing the impacts of pollutants on these systems and especially the interference with cell signaling pathways.   In addition, I also study the impact on total fitness (as measured by reproductive success), by these endocrine toxicants.

     The recent finding in vertebrates of cell-surface and cytosolic steroid hormone receptors is also very intriguing.  One future goal with the ecdysteroid system is to determine whether non-nuclear steroid receptors are also found in the Arthropods.

Charlie Rice helped to produced four monoclonal antibodies against grass shrimp vitellin (Oberdörster, Rice and Irwin. 2000.  Comp. Biochem Physiol 127C:199-2007).  As researchers are requesting this antibody, I am attempting to keep a running list of species to which these antibodies do or do not cross react.  As of January 2003, the list is as follows:

Anti-shrimp vitellin antibodies:  Cross-reactivity with other species

Anti-shrimp vitellin antibodies:  Lack of Cross-reactivity with other species; or too much background.