Biology | |
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Professor and Chairperson Email: noconnor@umassd.edu |
My research interests are in microbial activities in natural environments such as soil. Most of what we know about bacteria has been discovered using laboratory cultures of single species. Unlike traditional laboratory conditions, in complex environments such as soil bacteria need to respond to fluctuating environmental parameters, and must interact with a large number of other microbial species. We have found that in the presence of multiple bacterial species and while dwelling in soil, bacteria behave in ways which have never been observed in laboratory culture experiments.
Using the model bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, we are interested in addressing two aspects of life in natural environments. First, we are focused on understanding mechanisms that enable persistence and competitive fitness, and adaptation to environmental fluctuations which occur during growth in soil. Second, my laboratory used co-culture of multiple bacterial species to explore communication among soil bacteria resulting in multiple responses including the production of an antimicrobial compound.
Long term goals include developing an understanding of the dynamics of microbial communities in natural environments, using microbial systems as sensors of environmental contamination, and improving the use of bacteria in biological control of plant pathogens and in the bioremediation of oil spills.
In our research we use massively parallel DNA sequencing technology alongside established genetic, molecular biology, and microbiological tools. |
| Recent Publications | Graduate Students | Courses | |
Mark SilbyRecent Publications
- Rasch, J.A. and N.J. O’Connor. 2012. Development and behavior of megalopae of the non-native crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus in response to chemical cues from coastal fishes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 416-417: 196-201
- O'Connor, N.J. and M.L. Judge. 2010. Molting of megalopae of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus in intertidal habitats of Northeastern North America. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 385: 92-97
- O'Connor, N.J. 2007. Stimulation of molting in megalopae of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus: physical and chemical cues. Marine Ecology Progress Series 352: 1-8 [Feature article]
- Kim, A.K.A. and N.J. O'Connor. 2007. Early stages of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus as potential prey for the striped killifish Fundulus majalis. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 346: 28-35
- O'Connor, N.J. and B.T. Van. 2006. Adult fiddler crabs Uca pugnax (Smith) enhance sediment-associated cues for molting of conspecific megalopae. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 335: 123-130
- O'Connor, N.J. 2005. Influence of extracts of adult crabs on molting of fiddler crab megalopae (Uca pugnax). Marine Biology 146: 753-759
- O'Connor, N.J. and M.L. Judge. 2004. Molting of fiddler crab Uca minax megalopae: stimulatory cues are specific to salt marshes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 282: 229-236
- Bourdeau, P.E. and N.J. O'Connor. 2003. Predation by the nonindigenous Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus on macroalgae and molluscs. Northeastern Naturalist 10: 319-334 [Cover article]
- Ledesma, M. E. and N. J. O'Connor. 2001. Habitat and diet of the non-native crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus in southern New England. Northeastern Naturalist 8: 63-78
Recent Graduate Students
Ami Araujo
Behavior of crab megalopae in response to chemicals from fishes
(in progress)
Johanna C. Blasi
Marine amphipods as prey for the non-indigenous crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (De Haan 1853)
(graduated May 2003)
Christina Guidoboni
Attraction of crabs to materials used in bivalve aquaculture
(in progress)
Anita K. Kim
The Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, as a novel food source for the striped killifish, Fundulus majalis
(graduated June 2002)
Jennifer A. Rasch
Influence of fish allelochemicals on development and behavior of megalopae of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus
(graduated May 2008)
Michael Savaria
Potential predation of the Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, by cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus
(in progress)
Kelly A. Simmons
Competition for shelter between indigenous mud crabs and the nonindigenous Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus
(graduated January 2004)
Heather R. Spence
Recruitment of the invaders: Factors affecting distribution of early stage Hemigrapsus sanguineus and other crabs in southeastern New England with implications for shellfish aquaculture
(graduated January 2008)
Courses
Courses Professor O'Connor has taught include:
| BIO 314 | General Ecology |
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| BIO 317 | Biology of Invertebrates |
| BIO 526 | Marine Benthic Ecology |
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