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Division:
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REUT
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Status:
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Federal, NOAA Fisheries
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Job Title:
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Program Manager, Microbiology Program
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Phone:
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206-860-3377, Lab: 206-860-3379
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Email:
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send e-mail
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Programs:
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NWFSC Publications
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Background
Mark Strom has worked as a microbiologist at the NWFSC since 1992 and has been Team Leader of the Microbiology group since 1995. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1992 prior to joining the NWFSC. Besides his current position at NWFSC, he holds Affiliate Faculty appointments in the University of Washington Department of Microbiology/School of Medicine and the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Dr. Strom's past research includes mechanisms of toxin gene acquisition by bacterial pathogens, the relationships of extrachromosomal elements (plasmids) in bacterial virulence, the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in bacterial protein secretion, and expression of bacterial cell surface colonization factors. Past work included several genetic and biochemical structure-function studies on factors that are required for assembly of type IV pili and type II proteins secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. His overall primary research interests are the molecular mechanisms of virulence of pathogenic bacteria, with an emphasis on therapeutic treatments and vaccine development.
Current Research
The current research of the Microbiology team ranges from basic studies on bacterial molecular pathogenesis to applied studies on methods to treat or prevent important salmonid diseases. Current research areas of the team include studies on virulence mechanisms utilized by the salmon pathogens Renibacterium salmoninarum and Aeromonas salmonicida and the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus, and the development of molecular-based diagnostic and epidemiological tools. He is currently working on a project that is hoped will lead to determination of the DNA sequence of the R. salmoninarum genome, which would provide a great deal of information that could lead to the development of more effective, targeted therapeutics and vaccines. Applied studies include testing potential R. salmoninarum vaccines, and determining the role of infectious disease in juvenile smolt delayed mortality through the Columbia River hydroelectric system. In addition, the Microbiology team is responsible for disease diagnostics and pathology on salmon reared in the Manchester Field Station and Burley Creek Hatchery Captive Broodstock programs at the NWFSC, and Dr. Strom serves as the NMFS Technical Pathology Representative to the Pacific Northwest Fish Health Protection Committee.
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