Research :: CAMBRIDGE FIELD RESEARCH LABORATORY

This lab is overseen by Dr. Daniel P. Molloy, whose research interests include the following:

• Biology, ecology, and taxonomy of symbiotic organisms associated with aquatic invertebrates, particularly those of bivalves and insects;


• Role of such parasites in host population dynamics;


• Potential of parasites and microbial biotoxins as biological control agents;


• Fundamental and applied aspects of invertebrate pathology;


• Biology and ecology of aquatic invasive species;


• Ecology of the botulism E epidemic that has killed thousands of Great Lakes fish and birds over the last decade.

Since its establishment in 1973, the State Museum’s Field Research Laboratory has focused on investigating the biology, ecology, taxonomy, and biological control of aquatic invertebrate pests, especially black flies (Simuliidae) and zebra mussels (Dreissenidae). Located one hour north of Albany, the facility has a continuous, gravity-fed supply of water from a spring-fed pond, thus facilitating rearing of freshwater organisms and conducting once-through experiments. Under the direction of Dan Molloy, its staff has successfully developed environmentally safe methods for the control of black flies using Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and more recently Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CL145A for the control of zebra mussels.  Current research efforts are centered on evaluating the potential of P. fluorescens strain CL145A for the control of these mussels in open waters such as rivers and lakes.  In addition, plans are underway for development of a breakthrough neurotoxin assay to unravel the cause of the botulism E epidemic that has killed Great Lakes fish and bird populations since 1999. The laboratory also has several international collaborative projects investigating zebra mussel symbionts, primarily parasitic species.