Seminar: Dr. Brett Froelich, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences

UNC Marine Sciences’ Assistant Professor Alecia Septer hosts a seminar presented by Brett Froelich, Ph.D.

Presenter Affiliation: UNC Institute of Marine Sciences

Presenter Discipline: Microbial physiology

Seminar Title: The Tripartite lifestyle of Vibrio vulnificus

Summary: The marine bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, is found in estuarine and coastal waters.  This organism is concentrated by filter-feeding shellfish, such as oysters, and can cause deadly sea-foodborne infections in humans.  All three of these very different habitats will be discussed as we follow these bacteria from water to oysters to human infection.  A comparison of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains will highlight the differences between them, and reveal that we have a lot yet to discover.  Covered topics will include ecology, prediction, and pathogenesis.