James Cook University, 2004 Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Research Interests
My research interests are in broad areas of comparative immunology, but there is an emphasis in my laboratory on antibody mediated protection. Antibodies are proteins responsible for antigen (pathogen) recognition, leading to neutralization and eventual destruction of the pathogen. The highly polymorphic nature of the antibody binding domain allows them to recognize billions of different pathogens. My laboratory focuses on the structure of the antibody, the cells responsible for antibody production, and the quality of the antibody for pathogen recognition.
Current projects
- The role of long-lived plasma cells in immunological memory (USDA)
- Antibody secreting cell diversity following vaccination and infection (USDA)
- The development of real-time biosensors for the detection of pollutants (CICEET)
Selected Publications
Long C, Bromage E, Kaattari S (2008). Quantifying fecundity in Macoma balthica using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Aquatic Biology (In Press)
Bromage E, Long C, Kaattari S (2008). The Application of Subtractive Immunization in Ecological Research: Production Of Monoclonal Antibodies To Oocyte-Specific Proteins in Macoma balthica. (In press)
Kaattari S, Brown G, Kaattari I, Ye J, Haines A, Bromage E (2008). The Cellular and Developmental Biology of the Teleost Antibody Response. In: Fish Defenses Vol I Immunology (Science Publishers, New Hampshire; Eds.Zaccone, Secombes, Manning, Kapoor).Bromage E, Vadas G, Harvey E, Unger M, Kaattari S (2007). Validation of an Antibody-Based Biosensor for Rapid Quantification of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Contamination in Ground Water and River Water. Environmental Science and Technology. 41(20):7067-72
Bromage E, Kaattari S (2007). Simultaneous quantitative analysis of multiple protein species within a single sample using standard scanning densitometry. J Immunol Methods, 323: 109-113
Bromage E, Lackie T, Unger MA, Ye J, Kaattari SL (2007) The development of a real-time biosensor for the detection of trace levels of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in aquatic environments. Biosens Bioelect. 22: 2532-38
Bromage E, Ye J, Kaattari S. 2006. Antibody structural variation in rainbow trout fluids. Comp Biochem Physiol Part B. 143: 61-69.
Zwollo P, Cole S, Bromage E, Kaattari S (2005) Physical and serological analyses of B cell populations in immune tissues of the rainbow trout. . J Immunol 174: 6608-6616.
Kaattari S, Bromage E, Kaattari I (2005) Analysis of Long-lived Plasma Cell Production and Regulation: Implications for Vaccine Design for Aquaculture. Aquaculture 246: 1-9.
Bromage E, Kaattari I, Zwollo P, Kaattari S (2004) Plasmablast and Plasma Cell Production and Distribution in Trout Immune Tissues. J Immunol 173(12).
Bromage E S, Ye J, Owens L, Kaattari I, Kaattari S (2004) Use of Staphylococcal Protein A in the Analysis of Teleost Immunoglobulin Structural Diversity. Dev Comp Immunol 28. 803-814.
Munro J, Oakey J, Bromage E, Owens L (2003). Experimental bacteriophage-mediated virulence in strains of Vibrio harveyi. Dis Aqua Org. 54: 187-194.
Bromage E S and Owens L (2002). Infection of barramundi Lates calcarifer with Streptococcus iniae: effects of different routes of exposure. Dis Aqua Org52: 199-205
Cimino E J, Owens L, Bromage E, Anderson T A (2002) A newly developed ELISA showing the effect of environmental stress on levels of hsp86 in Cherax quadricarinatus and Penaeus monodon. Comp Biochem Physiol. 132A(3): 591-598.
Bromage E S, Thomas A, Owens L (1999) Streptococcus iniae, a bacterial infection in barramundi, Lates calcarifer Dis Aqua Org. 36: 177-181
Courses Taught
- Biology of Organisms Laboratory (BIO 131)
- Immunology (BIO 422)
- Proseminars in Comparative Immunology, Laboratory Techniques in Immunology, and Infection and Immunology (BIO 411)
Current Graduate Students
- Gregory Costa
- Pamela Rapoza
Visit Erin Bromage's website: http://www.comparativeimmunology.com/
