Kenneth Kustin, Brandeis University

“Vanadium and Iron in Tunicate Blood Cells.” Tunicates (sea squirts) are very successful marine animals that inhabit ocean waters at all latitudes and depths.  These filter-feeding organisms accumulate and spectacularly concentrate metal ions, particularly vanadium, in specialized blood cells.  Only recently have the mechanism of metal ion concentration and blood cell function elicited cogent explications, but many questions still remain unanswered.  The latest models of blood cell metal ion sequestration and function will be presented in hopes of stimulating interest in these unobtrusive but vital sea creatures.