Gael Kurath, Ph.D.
Viruses and infectious diseases are natural components of every ecosystem. In aquatic ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is a significant viral pathogen of many salmonid fish populations. Studies of IHNV molecular biology, pathogenesis, field ecology, and evolution contribute to understanding and management of viral disease in salmon and trout.
Research Interests:
Our research involves viral diseases in finfish, with an emphasis on the rhabdovirus IHNV in Pacific salmon and trout of Pacific Northwest ecosystems. We conduct landscape-scale genetic typing of IHNV as it occurs across Western North America and use phylogenetic analyses and molecular epidemiology to identify patterns of virus occurrence, transmission, and disease impacts across large geographic regions, and over many years. This has revealed divergence of IHNV into three major genetic groups (U, M, or L) with distinct host specificities and geographic ranges in North America. There is also clear evidence for viral host jumps, displacement events, and evolution of both specialist and generalist virus lineages. Potential drivers of these evolutionary events are tested in controlled wet laboratory challenge studies in salmonid fish, providing sound scientific data on the biological basis of patterns observed in the field. In a recent project we demonstrated evolution of increasing virulence as a driver of viral genotype displacements in steelhead trout of the Columbia River Basin and worked with collaborators to develop the first landscape-scale transmission model for IHNV. We also explore the biological basis of specialist (adapted to single host species) and generalist (adapted to multiple host species) viruses, using naturally evolved subgroups of IHNV. This has potential to explain changes in virus types and disease impacts observed in the Columbia River Basin, and it also serves as a tractable research model for empirical testing of predictions of basic specialist-generalist theory for pathogens. Finally, we collaborate with other researchers to investigate the evolution of IHNV virulence after a historical host jump from sockeye salmon to farmed rainbow trout using a historical panel of over 60 IHNV isolates collected over the last 50 years. Long-term interests include understanding drivers of viral evolution and ecology, host and virus factors that define virus transmission and transmission models, and how human activities can be modified to avoid unintended disease consequences.
Professional Experience
1992 to Present - Research Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1989 - 1992 - Postdoctoral researcher, Plant Virology, University of California, Riverside, CA
1985 - 1988 - Postdoctoral researcher, Plant Virology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1985. Virology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
M.S. 1980. Marine Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
B.A. 1978. Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Affiliations and Memberships*
University of Washington, affiliate faculty in Pathobiology with graduate faculty status. 1994 to Present (full professor since 2017).
University of Washington, affiliate faculty in the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences with graduate faculty status (2007 to Present).
International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, member of study groups Rhabdovirus family (1997 to Present), Paramyxovirus Family (2008 to present), and Mononegavirales Super-family (2008 to Present).
International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, member of study groups Rhabdovirus family (1997 to Present), Paramyxovirus Family (2008 to present), and Mononegavirales Super-family (2008 to Present).
Scientific Journal Editorial Board: Virology (1995-1998); Journal of Aquatic Animal Health (2002-2005); Diseases of Aquatic Organisms (2011-2015); Journal of General Virology (2011-2016).
Ad hoc reviewer for numerous journals.
Grant review panel member or panel chair: USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment (1996, 1997); USDA NRI Virology (1999, 2000); USDA-NIFA AFRI Diseases of Agricultural Animals program (2020).
American Fisheries Society, Fish Health Section, member since 1994, nominating/balloting committee member 2002-2003; chair 2004.
American Fisheries Society, Fish Health Section, elected vice-president 2006, executive committee 2006-2010, president 2008.
American Society for Virology member since 1983.
Honors and Awards
Special Achievement Award, American Fisheries, Society Fish Health Section, 1999
U.S. Department of the Interior Star Awards, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008
Snieszko Distinguished Service Award, Fish Health Section, American Fisheries Society, 2020
Science and Products
Analysis of the nucleoprotein gene identifies three distinct lineages of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus within the European marine environment
Evaluation of the protective immunogencity of the N, P, M, NV and G proteins of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss using DNA vaccines
Comparative sequence analyses of sixteen reptilian paramyxoviruses
Development of an RNase protection assay for rapid detection of genetic variation in the fish rhabdovirus viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus
A ribonuclease protection assay can distinguish spring viremia of carp virus from pike fry rhabdovirus
Distribution and variation of NV genes in fish rhabdoviruses
Sequence analysis and expression of the M1 and M2 matrix protein genes of hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)
The glycoprotein genes and gene junctions of the fish rhabdoviruses spring viremia of carp virus and hirame rhabdovirus: Analysis of relationships with other rhabdoviruses
Comparison of the polymerases (L genes) of spring viirenira of carp virus and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Mutational analyses of molecularly cloned satellite tobacco mosaic virus during serial passage in plants: Evidence for hotspots of genetic change
Heterogeneity in pepper isolates of cucumber mosaic virus
Nucleotide sequence of the M1 and M2 protein genes of hirame rhabdovirus (HRV), a fish rhabdovirus
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
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Filter Total Items: 146
Analysis of the nucleoprotein gene identifies three distinct lineages of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus within the European marine environment
A ribonuclease (RNase) protection assay (RPA) has been used to detect nucleotide sequence variation within the nucleoprotein gene of 39 viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) isolates of European marine origin. The classification of VHSV isolates based on RPA cleavage patterns permitted the identification of ten distinct groups of viruses based on differences at the molecular level. The nucleAuthorsM. Snow, C.O. Cunningham, W.T. Melvin, Gael KurathEvaluation of the protective immunogencity of the N, P, M, NV and G proteins of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss using DNA vaccines
The protective immunogenicity of the nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), non-virion protein (NV) and glycoprotein (G) of the rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was assessed in rainbow trout using DNA vaccine technology. DNA vaccines were produced by amplifying and cloning the viral genes in the plasmid pCDNA 3.1. The protective immunity elicited by eaAuthorsS. Corbeil, S. E. LaPatra, Eric Anderson, J. Jones, B. Vincent, Ya Li Hsu, G. KurathComparative sequence analyses of sixteen reptilian paramyxoviruses
Viral genomic RNA of Fer-de-Lance virus (FDLV), a paramyxovirus highly pathogenic for reptiles, was reverse transcribed and cloned. Plasmids with significant sequence similarities to the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and polymerase (L) genes of mammalian paramyxoviruses were identified by BLAST search. Partial sequences of the FDLV genes were used to design primers for amplification by nested pAuthorsW. Ahne, W.N. Batts, Gael Kurath, J. R. WintonDevelopment of an RNase protection assay for rapid detection of genetic variation in the fish rhabdovirus viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus
No abstract available.AuthorsM. Snow, Gael Kurath, C.O. Cunningham, D.M. SmailA ribonuclease protection assay can distinguish spring viremia of carp virus from pike fry rhabdovirus
Thirteen rhabdovirus isolates from 10 teleost fish species as well as reference strains of spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) and pike fry rhabdovirus (PFRV) cross-reacted in an indirect immunofluorescence assay and were thus indistinguishable by this method. A ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) using a super(32)P-labeled RNA probe made from a cloned copy of the full length SVCV glycoprotein (GAuthorsW. Ahne, Gael Kurath, J. R. WintonDistribution and variation of NV genes in fish rhabdoviruses
The fish rhabdovirus infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) contains a non-virion (NV) gene between the glycoprotein (G) and polymerase (L) genes on its RNA genome. The present study investigated three other fish rhabdovirus genomes and found that the NV gene of hirame rhabdovirus is closely related to the NV of IHNV, whereas the viral haemorrhagic septicemia NV gene showed evidence of siAuthorsGael Kurath, K.H. Higman, H.V. BjorklundSequence analysis and expression of the M1 and M2 matrix protein genes of hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)
We have cloned and sequenced a 2318 nucleotide region of the genomic RNA of hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV), an important viral pathogen of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. This region comprises approximately two-thirds of the 3' end of the nucleocapsid protein (N) gene and the complete matrix protein (M1 and M2) genes with the associated intergenic regions. The partial N gene sequence was 812AuthorsT. Nishizawa, Gael Kurath, J. R. WintonThe glycoprotein genes and gene junctions of the fish rhabdoviruses spring viremia of carp virus and hirame rhabdovirus: Analysis of relationships with other rhabdoviruses
The nucleotide sequences of the glycoprotein genes and all of the internal gene junctions of the fish pathogenic rhabdoviruses spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) and hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV) have been determined from cDNA clones generated from viral genomic RNA. The SVCV glycoprotein gene sequence is 1588 nucleotides (nt) long and encodes a 509 amino acid (aa) protein. The HIRRV glycoprotein geAuthorsH.V. Bjorklund, K.H. Higman, Gael KurathComparison of the polymerases (L genes) of spring viirenira of carp virus and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
No abstract availableAuthorsH.V. Bjorklund, E.J. Emmenegger, Gael KurathMutational analyses of molecularly cloned satellite tobacco mosaic virus during serial passage in plants: Evidence for hotspots of genetic change
The high level of genetic diversity and rapid evolution of viral RNA genomes are well documented, but few studies have characterized the rate and nature of ongoing genetic change over time under controlled experimental conditions, especially in plant hosts. The RNA genome of satellite tobacco mosaic virus (STMV) was used as an effective model for such studies because of advantageous features of itAuthorsGael Kurath, J.A. DoddsHeterogeneity in pepper isolates of cucumber mosaic virus
Twenty-four cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) field isolates from pepper crops in Cali-fornia were characterized and compared by nucleic acid hybridization subgrouping, virion electrophoresis, and biological effects in several hosts. Isolates, belonging to subgroup I or subgroup II, were found that induced severe symptoms in mechanically inoculated bell pep-pers. Only two isolates, both from subgrAuthorsG. Rodriguez-Alvarado, G. Kurath, J.A. DoddsNucleotide sequence of the M1 and M2 protein genes of hirame rhabdovirus (HRV), a fish rhabdovirus
No abstract availableAuthorsT. Nishizawa, G. Kurath, J. WintonNon-USGS Publications**
Kurath, G., and C. Robaglia. 1995. Genetic variation and evolution of satellite viruses and satellite RNAs. Pages 385-403 in A. Gibbs, C. Calisher, and F. Garcia-Arenal (eds.), Molecular Basis of Virus Evolution. Cambridge Press, Cambridge, U.K.Kurath, G., and J.A. Dodds. 1995. Mutation analyses of molecularly cloned satellite tobacco mosaic virus during serial passage in plants: evidence for hotspots of genetic change. RNA 1: 491-500.Kurath, G., and J.A. Dodds. 1994. Satellite tobacco mosaic virus sequence variants with only five nucleotide differences can interfere with each other in a cross protection-like phenomenon in plants. Virology 202(2): 1065-1069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/viro.1994.1441.Rodriguez-Alvarado, G., G. Kurath, and J.A. Dodds. 1994. Symptom modification by satellite tobacco mosaic virus in pepper types and cultivars infected with helper tobamoviruses. Phytopathology 84(6): 617-621. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-84-617.Kurath, G., M.E. C. Rey, and J.A. Dodds. 1993. Tobamovirus helper specificity of satellite tobacco mosaic virus involves a domain near the 5' end of the satellite genome. Journal of General Virology 74(7): 1233-1243. DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-74-7-1233.Kurath, G., M.E. C. Rey, and J.A. Dodds. 1992. Analysis of genetic heterogeneity within the type strain of satellite tobacco mosaic virus reveals several variants and a strong bias for G to A substitution mutations. Virology 189(1): 233-244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6822(92)90699-P.Kurath, G., and P. Palukaitis. 1990. Serial passage of infectious transcripts of a cucumber mosaic virus satellite RNA clone results in sequence heterogeneity. Virology 176(1): 8-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6822(90)90224-F.Kurath, G., and P. Palukaitis. 1989. RNA sequence heterogeneity in natural populations of three satellite RNAs of cucumber mosaic virus. Virology 173(1): 231-240. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6822(89)90239-0.Kurath, G., and P. Palukaitis. 1987. Biological activity of T7 transcripts of a prototype clone and a sequence variant clone of a satellite RNA of cucumber mosaic virus. Virology 159(2):199-208. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6822(87)90456-9.Kurath, G., and J.C. Leong. 1985. Characterization of IHN virus mRNA species reveals a non-virion rhabdovirus protein. Journal of Virology 53(2):462-468.Kurath, G., K.G. Ahern, G.D. Pearson, and J.C. Leong. 1985. Molecular cloning of six mRNA species of IHNV, a fish rhabdovirus: Gene order determined by R-loop mapping. Journal of Virology 53(2): 469-476.Kurath, G., and R.Y. Morita. 1983. Some physiological studies on starvation survival of a marine Pseudomonas sp. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 45(4):1206-1211.**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.
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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government