Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
17 Biological Lane
St. George's GE 01
Bermuda
Tel: 441-297-1880 ext. 218
Fax: 441-297-8143
E-mail: jeannette.loram@bios.edu
Molecular Marine Biology


Specialization:
Marine Molecular Ecology

Profile:
Dr. Loram received her Ph.D. in Biology in 2005. Her research focused on cnidarian-algal symbioses. Specifically she investigated the molecular diversity of algae (Symbiodinium) in the giant sea anemone, Condylactis gigantean, and the functional significance of this diversity. More recently she has been investigating the diversity of Symbiodinium at the depth limits of coral species in Bermuda. She is also working with Dr. Gerry Plumley on algal genomics. They are using a comparative genomics approach for the identification of the genes that code for saxitoxin, an algal toxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). She is also working with Dr. Andrea Bodnar on the molecular basis for aging in sea urchins.

Current Research:

• Identification of saxitoxin genes.
• Molecular basis for aging in sea urchins.
• Diversity of Symbiodinium at the depth limits of Bermudian corals.
• Symbiodinium genomics.

Educational Background:

• B.Sc. Marine and Environmental Biology (Hons), University of St. Andrews, 1996
• M.Sc. Environmental Science, Birkbeck College, University of London, 2000
• Ph.D. Biology, University of York, 2005

Selected Publications:

• Loram, J. E., N. Boonham, P. O'Toole., H. G. Trapido-Rosenthal and A. E. Douglas. (2007) Molecular quantification of symbiotic dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium. Biological Bulletin, 212: 259-268.
• Loram, J. E., H. G. Trapido-Rosenthal and A. E. Douglas. (2007) Functional significance of genetically different symbiotic algae, Symbiodinium, in a coral reef symbiosis. Molecular Ecology, 16: 4849-4857
• Venn, A.A., J. E. Loram and A.E. Douglas. Photosynthetic symbioses in animals. Journal of Experimental Botany (in press).