The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
Christoper A Ottinger
Chris is a Research Fish Biologist at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV
Comparative Immunologist. Primary focus: Environmentally induced immunomodulation and disease susceptibility
Science and Products
Assessment of the immune status of wild and laboratory-maintained smallmouth bass
Deaths of young-of-year smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay drainage has been noted since 2005. Studies of affected fish have found bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Mixed infections suggest these fish are immunosuppressed. Understanding the role of specific pathogens and environmental factors that contribute to their presence is important but equally important is the understanding of...
USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center BSL-3 Laboratory
The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
Delivered Sample Boxes at the Lab
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Unloading boxes from Fed Ex
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Boxes from Fed Ex
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
RNA Extractions
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
PPE donning 1
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
PPE donning 2
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
RNA Extraction 1
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
RNA Extraction 2
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Science and Products
- Science
Assessment of the immune status of wild and laboratory-maintained smallmouth bass
Deaths of young-of-year smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay drainage has been noted since 2005. Studies of affected fish have found bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Mixed infections suggest these fish are immunosuppressed. Understanding the role of specific pathogens and environmental factors that contribute to their presence is important but equally important is the understanding of... - Data
- Multimedia
USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center BSL-3 Laboratory
The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
The BSL-3 complex at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center was purpose-built to serve our Nation’s needs. This facility has special engineering and design features for maintaining a safe environment when working with diseases that spread in the air. The facility is unusual in that it is designed to also be used for work with aquatic animals
Delivered Sample Boxes at the LabAccumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Accumulation of post-delivery Sample Boxes in the recieving area of the Leetown facility
Unloading boxes from Fed ExUnloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Unloading sample boxes from multiple facilities off the Fed Ex Truck, Christine Densmore (front) Robin Johnson (rear)
Boxes from Fed ExUnloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
Unloading sample boxes from Fed Ex Truck into the receiving area at the Leetown Lab, Christine Densmore
RNA ExtractionsLuke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz (left) Christine Densmore (right) perform RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab
PPE donning 1Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
PPE donning 2Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
Luke Iwanowicz dons multiple layers of PPE for safety prior to entering the BSL-3 lab
RNA Extraction 1Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Luke Iwanowicz conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
RNA Extraction 2Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
Robin Johnson conducts RNA extractions in the Biosafety Level-3 lab at Leetown, WV
- Publications