DARTMOUTH, Mass., — January 24, 2014 — In a genetics lab at UMass Dartmouth, students are investigating clownfish genes and — literally — finding Nemo.
"It's nice because this helps solidify concepts from lectures and gives them a taste of what research is like," said biology professor Robert Drew who has been exploring the enigmatic relationship between clownfish and sea anemone. For his efforts, Drew has also been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award that recognizes young, rising faculty members, according to a press release from the university.
Poisonous to other fish, the tentacled sea anemone is home to the little orange and white fish popularized in a 2003 Disney movie. As the clownfish is small and a poor swimmer, anemone offer it good shelter from prey.
"It's an interaction I am interested in," said Drew.
He said he believes sea anemone "fire up the stinging cells" when they detect prey but that clownfish mucus does not activate the poison.
"Basically, if it tastes like food, they sting it," he said. "Somehow the clownfish makes itself invisible to the anemone."
The NSF award will provide $850,000 over five years to fund Drew's work exploring the mysterious physiological relationship. It will also help integrate his research in elementary schools through a partnership with the New Bedford Ocean Explorium.
Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times