DrEmma Thompson

I am generally interested in the impacts of human activities on the estuarine and marine environments specifically on the immune function of invertebrates.  My other research interests are both terrestrial and marine wildlife conservation, how can we assess biodiversity and better mange the impacts on them to save species.  I currently work with colleagues in the Marine Invetebrate Futures and Inegrative Marine Biology groups.

• Distribution of micro- and nano-plastics in estuarine environments, specifically Sydney Harbour, and the subsequent impact these have on Blue Carbon Ecosystems (saltmarshes, mangroves, seagrass meadows), and on the immune function of molluscs.
• Impact of marine and atmospheric (MHW and AHW) on estuarine molluscs.
• More effective ways to harvest oyster haemocytes without the need to sacrifice individuals.
• Breeding Better Oysters: Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Department of Primary Industry established a Sydney rock oyster selective breeding program in the early 1990s to breed oysters resistant to QX disease and Winter Mortality syndrome. Now in its 7^th generation survivors from exposure to disease are used as broodstock. Working closely with the DPI my research addresses genetically based differences between selectively bred and wild-type oysters using proteomics, transcriptomics and next generation sequencing. This knowledge of beneficial genes and proteins will be used to breed a new generation of disease resistant oysters.
• The effects of ocean acidification on the Sydney Rock oyster: Ocean acidification has a significant impact on estuarine ecosystems. Sedentary calcifying organisms, such as bivalve molluscs, are particularly susceptible. Cellular and sub-cellular analysis using techniques such as proteomics and next generation sequencing provide an understanding of the physiological impacts and biological funtions affected by ocean acidification. The research looked at the multi-generational impacts of ocean acidification in addition to different responses between wild-type and selectively bred oysters