# National Resource for Aplysia

> **NIH NIH P40** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ROSENTEIL SCHOOL · 2020 · $258,827

## Abstract

Abstract
Aplysia californica is a unique animal model contributing to groundbreaking discoveries in basic
neurophysiology as well as the cellular basis of memory and learning. The genome of Aplysia has been
sequenced and extensive genome and transcriptome resources are available, facilitating a wide variety
of gene expression studies. Aplysia is also an outstanding model for studies of aging, with an annual
lifecycle marked by significant behavioral, neurophysiological and transcriptomic hallmarks progressing
to senescence and death. The overarching goals of the National Resource for Aplysia at the
University of Miami (the Resource) are to produce and distribute consistently high-quality cultured
California sea hares, A. californica, at all life stages for biomedical research and education, and to
improve and expand the usefulness of this model system to the biomedical community. The goal of this
application for supplemental support is to investigate the distribution and potential for pathology of a
newly discovered, naturally occurring, nidovirus infection in Aplysia, Aplysia abyssovirus 1 (AAbV).
Investigation of AAbV is directly relevant to the aims of the parent P40 grant: a key component of aim 1
of the parent grant is to monitor the health status of animals at the resource and to this end, limited
monitoring of AAbV in hatchery animals has already been underway for the past year (with preliminary
data presented here). Thus, the experiments proposed here clearly fit within the scope of aim 1 of the
parent grant. The proposed studies would allow us to address important biosecurity concerns regarding
the distribution and effects of AAbV that could not be supported by the parent grant alone. We propose
two primary aims: 1. Development of improved testing and AAbV-free animals and 2. Assessment of
pathology associated with AAbV. In aim 1 we will develop several methods for non-invasive monitoring
of AAbV levels in Aplysia including hemolymph samples, gill swabs, fecal samples, and water samples.
Theses methods will allow us to identify uninfected animals in cohorts while culling infected animals. An
additional, major goal of this aim will be to create a consistent and reliable supply of AAbV-free (SPF)
animals. Aim 2 will follow three discrete approaches to understand the pathology of AAbV infection by
examining changes in gene expression and tissue ultrastructure associated with high viral loads. In this
aim we will also investigate developmental impacts of AAbV on embryos and larvae.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10209624
- **Project number:** 3P40OD010952-25S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ROSENTEIL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL C SCHMALE
- **Activity code:** P40 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $258,827
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1996-05-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10209624

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10209624, National Resource for Aplysia (3P40OD010952-25S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-02 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10209624. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*