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Adam A Perez, Ph.D.

Adam Pérez is a Biologist at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.

Adam Pérez has a background in microbiology and molecular biology, with expertise in bacterial synthetic biology and experience with marine mammal ecotoxicology. Within the USGS, Adam is tasked with exploring the feasibility, and responsible implementation, of genetic biocontrol technologies to support invasive species management efforts. Additionally, he works on the development and optimization of portable biosensors for the detection of invasive species and wildlife disease pathogens.

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (BMMB), The Pennsylvania State University

  • B.Sc., Biology (Minor: Chemistry), University of Bridgeport

Science and Products

Early detection of wildlife disease pathogens using CRISPR-Cas system methods

Wildlife diseases are a considerable threat to human health, conservation, and the economy. Surveillance is a critical component to mitigate the impact of animal diseases in these sectors. To monitor human diseases, CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein) biosensors have proven instrumental as diagnostic tools capable of detecting unique DNA
Authors
Adam Alberto Perez, Guelaguetza Vazquez-Meves, Margaret Hunter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

A minimally invasive, field-applicable CRISPR/Cas biosensor to aid in the detection of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative fungal agent of white-nose syndrome in bats

The accessibility to CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) genetic tools has given rise to applications beyond site-directed genome editing for the detection of DNA and RNA. These tools include precise diagnostic detection of human disease pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus. Despite the technology being rapid and cost-effective,
Authors
Adam Alberto Perez, Abigail Tobin, John V. Stechly, Jason Ferrante, Margaret Hunter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Pérez, A.A., Chen, Q., Hernández, H.P., Branco dos Santos, F. and Hellingwerf, K.J. (2019), On the use of oxygenic photosynthesis for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals. Physiol Plantarum, 166: 413-427. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12946

Pérez A and Pierce Wise Sr. J. One Environmental Health: an emerging perspective in toxicology [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. F1000Research 2018, 7(F1000 Faculty Rev):918 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.14233.1)

Pérez, A.A., Ferlez, B.H., Applegate, A.M. et al. Presence of a [3Fe–4S] cluster in a PsaC variant as a functional component of the photosystem I electron transfer chain in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Photosynth Res 136, 31–48 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-017-0437-0

Johnson, M., Croom-Perez, T., Perez, A., Antonison, E., Tekely, C., and Edelman, R. From Fish Tank to Fuel Tank: Engineering Photobioreactors in the Classroom. https://doi.org/10.2505/4/ss17_040_06_41

Perez, A.A., Gajewski, J.P., Ferlez, B.H., Ludwig, M., Baker, C.S., Golbeck, J.H., and Bryant, D.A. 2017. Zn2+-Inducible Expression Platform for Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 Based on the smtA Promoter/Operator and smtB Repressor. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 83(3). https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02491-16

Perez, A.A., Liu, Z., Rodionov, D.A., Li, Z., and Bryant, D.A. 2016. Complementation of Cobalamin Auxotrophy in Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 and Validation of a Putative Cobalamin Riboswitch In Vivo. Journal of Bacteriology 198(19). https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00475-16

Perez, A.A., Rodionov, D.A., and Bryant, D.A., 2016. Identification and Regulation of Genes for Cobalamin Transport in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002. Journal of Bacteriology 198(19). https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00476-16

Gorka, M., Perez, A., Baker, C.S., Ferlez, B., van der Est, A., Bryant, D.A., and Golbeck, J.H. 2015. Electron transfer from the A1A and A1B sites to a tethered Pt nanoparticle requires the FeS clusters for suppression of the recombination channel. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 152(B) 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2015.08.015

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

link
A view of healthy elkhorn corals on the seafloor in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Development of Environmental DNA (eDNA) Detection Tools to Track the Obligate Coral Predator Coralliophila galea to Support Coral Outplant Site Selection

With the support of the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, USGS researchers will develop and optimize a CRISPR biosensor to detect C. galea eDNA in the field. The development of this tool could assist coral restoration managers and stakeholders to more effectively inform decisions on coral outplant site selection, based on coral predator presence.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Development of Environmental DNA (eDNA) Detection Tools to Track the Obligate Coral Predator Coralliophila galea to Support Coral Outplant Site Selection

With the support of the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, USGS researchers will develop and optimize a CRISPR biosensor to detect C. galea eDNA in the field. The development of this tool could assist coral restoration managers and stakeholders to more effectively inform decisions on coral outplant site selection, based on coral predator presence.
Learn More
link
Northern long-eared bat with white-nose syndrome symptoms

A Rapid CRISPR-based Field Test for the Non-invasive Detection of the Fungal Causative Agent of White-nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome has killed more than five million bats since its discovery in 2006. USGS is developing a non-invasive and user-friendly CRISPR white-nose syndrome biosensor to allow for quick detection of the pathogen that causes the disease.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

A Rapid CRISPR-based Field Test for the Non-invasive Detection of the Fungal Causative Agent of White-nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome has killed more than five million bats since its discovery in 2006. USGS is developing a non-invasive and user-friendly CRISPR white-nose syndrome biosensor to allow for quick detection of the pathogen that causes the disease.
Learn More

Data from the development and evaluation of a CRISPR/Cas12a-based biosensor for the detection of DNA from Pseudogymnoascus destructans using samples collected from various species of bats across the United States, from 2018 to 2023

Reported here are the fluorescence data points recorded from CRISPR/Cas12a biosensor assays to detect the presence or absence of DNA from Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative fungal agent of white-nose syndrome in bats, from artificial controls, dermal swab, and guano samples. Ct values from qPCR experiments are also provided in a table. Furthermore, we also provide the GenBank accessi
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Fish community assessment using environmental DNA metabarcoding data after an invasive species eradication and native restocking effort in Pinecrest Gardens, FL in 2017-18

Reported here are the metabarcoding read numbers and biomass data assessed from a fish community in a southern Florida pond in Pinecrest Gardens after invasive species eradication and native restocking in 2017 and 2018 in linear regression models. This dataframe contains the number of fish of each species identified, their measured lengths estimated population surface area, and the number of metab
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
No results found.

Science and Products

Early detection of wildlife disease pathogens using CRISPR-Cas system methods

Wildlife diseases are a considerable threat to human health, conservation, and the economy. Surveillance is a critical component to mitigate the impact of animal diseases in these sectors. To monitor human diseases, CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein) biosensors have proven instrumental as diagnostic tools capable of detecting unique DNA
Authors
Adam Alberto Perez, Guelaguetza Vazquez-Meves, Margaret Hunter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

A minimally invasive, field-applicable CRISPR/Cas biosensor to aid in the detection of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative fungal agent of white-nose syndrome in bats

The accessibility to CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) genetic tools has given rise to applications beyond site-directed genome editing for the detection of DNA and RNA. These tools include precise diagnostic detection of human disease pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus. Despite the technology being rapid and cost-effective,
Authors
Adam Alberto Perez, Abigail Tobin, John V. Stechly, Jason Ferrante, Margaret Hunter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Pérez, A.A., Chen, Q., Hernández, H.P., Branco dos Santos, F. and Hellingwerf, K.J. (2019), On the use of oxygenic photosynthesis for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals. Physiol Plantarum, 166: 413-427. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12946

Pérez A and Pierce Wise Sr. J. One Environmental Health: an emerging perspective in toxicology [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. F1000Research 2018, 7(F1000 Faculty Rev):918 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.14233.1)

Pérez, A.A., Ferlez, B.H., Applegate, A.M. et al. Presence of a [3Fe–4S] cluster in a PsaC variant as a functional component of the photosystem I electron transfer chain in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Photosynth Res 136, 31–48 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-017-0437-0

Johnson, M., Croom-Perez, T., Perez, A., Antonison, E., Tekely, C., and Edelman, R. From Fish Tank to Fuel Tank: Engineering Photobioreactors in the Classroom. https://doi.org/10.2505/4/ss17_040_06_41

Perez, A.A., Gajewski, J.P., Ferlez, B.H., Ludwig, M., Baker, C.S., Golbeck, J.H., and Bryant, D.A. 2017. Zn2+-Inducible Expression Platform for Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 Based on the smtA Promoter/Operator and smtB Repressor. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 83(3). https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02491-16

Perez, A.A., Liu, Z., Rodionov, D.A., Li, Z., and Bryant, D.A. 2016. Complementation of Cobalamin Auxotrophy in Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 and Validation of a Putative Cobalamin Riboswitch In Vivo. Journal of Bacteriology 198(19). https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00475-16

Perez, A.A., Rodionov, D.A., and Bryant, D.A., 2016. Identification and Regulation of Genes for Cobalamin Transport in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002. Journal of Bacteriology 198(19). https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00476-16

Gorka, M., Perez, A., Baker, C.S., Ferlez, B., van der Est, A., Bryant, D.A., and Golbeck, J.H. 2015. Electron transfer from the A1A and A1B sites to a tethered Pt nanoparticle requires the FeS clusters for suppression of the recombination channel. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 152(B) 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2015.08.015

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

link
A view of healthy elkhorn corals on the seafloor in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Development of Environmental DNA (eDNA) Detection Tools to Track the Obligate Coral Predator Coralliophila galea to Support Coral Outplant Site Selection

With the support of the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, USGS researchers will develop and optimize a CRISPR biosensor to detect C. galea eDNA in the field. The development of this tool could assist coral restoration managers and stakeholders to more effectively inform decisions on coral outplant site selection, based on coral predator presence.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Development of Environmental DNA (eDNA) Detection Tools to Track the Obligate Coral Predator Coralliophila galea to Support Coral Outplant Site Selection

With the support of the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, USGS researchers will develop and optimize a CRISPR biosensor to detect C. galea eDNA in the field. The development of this tool could assist coral restoration managers and stakeholders to more effectively inform decisions on coral outplant site selection, based on coral predator presence.
Learn More
link
Northern long-eared bat with white-nose syndrome symptoms

A Rapid CRISPR-based Field Test for the Non-invasive Detection of the Fungal Causative Agent of White-nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome has killed more than five million bats since its discovery in 2006. USGS is developing a non-invasive and user-friendly CRISPR white-nose syndrome biosensor to allow for quick detection of the pathogen that causes the disease.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

A Rapid CRISPR-based Field Test for the Non-invasive Detection of the Fungal Causative Agent of White-nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome has killed more than five million bats since its discovery in 2006. USGS is developing a non-invasive and user-friendly CRISPR white-nose syndrome biosensor to allow for quick detection of the pathogen that causes the disease.
Learn More

Data from the development and evaluation of a CRISPR/Cas12a-based biosensor for the detection of DNA from Pseudogymnoascus destructans using samples collected from various species of bats across the United States, from 2018 to 2023

Reported here are the fluorescence data points recorded from CRISPR/Cas12a biosensor assays to detect the presence or absence of DNA from Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the causative fungal agent of white-nose syndrome in bats, from artificial controls, dermal swab, and guano samples. Ct values from qPCR experiments are also provided in a table. Furthermore, we also provide the GenBank accessi
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Fish community assessment using environmental DNA metabarcoding data after an invasive species eradication and native restocking effort in Pinecrest Gardens, FL in 2017-18

Reported here are the metabarcoding read numbers and biomass data assessed from a fish community in a southern Florida pond in Pinecrest Gardens after invasive species eradication and native restocking in 2017 and 2018 in linear regression models. This dataframe contains the number of fish of each species identified, their measured lengths estimated population surface area, and the number of metab
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
No results found.
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