Tod Leighfield

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Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences | MBES Students | Tod Leighfield

Tod Leighfield

Research Interest:

Algal toxins produced by microalgae during harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been implicated in the morbidity and mortality of diverse organisms, from invertebrates to humans. Our laboratory is focused on the absorption, clearance and disposition of these toxins in mammalian systems. Specifically, my research will focus on the biotransformation of brevetoxins across epithelial barriers by capitalizing on the recent advances in the discovery and detection of brevetoxins and their chemical metabolites.

Understanding the biotransformations of HAB toxins may yield tools to assist in the early diagnosis of intoxication events in living animals and thus mitigate their adverse health effects.

Publications:
Vershinin A, Moruchkov A, Morton SL, Leighfield TA, Quilliam MA, Ramsdell JS Phytoplankton composition of the Kandalaksha Gulf, Russian White Sea: Dinophysis and lipophilic toxins in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). 2006. Harmful Algae 5:558-564.

Brodie E, Gulland F, Greig D, Hunter M, Jaakola J, St.Ledger J, Leighfield T, Van Dolah F. Domoic acid causes reproductive failure in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). April 2006 Marine Mammal Science 22(2):1-8.

Maier-Brown AF, Dortch Q, Van Dolah FM, Leighfield TA, Morrison W, Thessen AE, Steidinger K, Richardson B, Moncreiff CA, Pennock JR. Effect of salinity on the distribution, growth, and toxicity of Karenia spp. 2006.Harmful Algae 5:199 212.

Flewelling LJ, Naar JP, Abbott JP, Baden DG, Barros NB, Bossart GD, Bottein MY, Hammond DG, Haubold EM, Heil CA, Henry MS, Jacocks HM, Leighfield TA, Pierce RH, Pitchford TD, Rommel SA, Scott PS, Steidinger KA, Truby EW, Van Dolah FM, Landsberg JH. Brevetoxicosis: Red tides and marine mammal mortalities: Unexpected brevetoxin vectors may account for deaths long after or remote from an algal bloom.9 June 2005. Nature. 435: 755 756.

Barbier M, Leighfield TA, Soyer-Gobillard M-O, Van Dolah FM.Permanent expression of a cyclin B homologue in the cell cycle of the dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. 2002. J. Euk. Micro. 50:123 131.

Leighfield TA, Barbier M, Van Dolah FM. Evidence for a cAMP-dependent kinase in a dinoflagellate, Amphidinium operculatum. 2002. Comp. Biochem. and Physiol. Part B.133:317-324.

Leighfield TA and Van Dolah FM. Cell cycle regulation in a dinoflagellate, Amphidinium operculatum: identification of the diel entraining cue and a possible role for cyclic AMP.2001. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 262:177-197.

Presentations:
Leighfield T. Detection of Marine Toxins in Marine Mammals. September 2005. US Navy Marine Mammal Program Clinical Research Workshop. San Diego, CA.

Leighfield T, Wang Z, Radwan F, Mitchell B, Mao K, Ramsdell J, VanDolah F. Identification of Brevetoxin Metabolites in Bottlenose Dolphins Associated with Their Mortality in the Florida Panhandle During 2004. June 2005. Gordon Conference
on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins, Waterville, ME.

Leighfield T. Development of a Receptor Binding Assay for Detection of Saxitoxin in Shellfish and Algae. December 2004. First Institute of Oceanography, Qingdao, China.

Leighfield T. NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Analytical Response Team. December 2004. Biotoxins in Florida Bottlenose Dolphins Workshop. Orlando, FL.

Leighfield T and Van Dolah F. Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms and Phycotoxins on Marine Mammals. April 2004.Northeast US Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinators Meeting, Portland, ME.