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
Protection of rainbow trout against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus four days after specific or semi-specific DNA vaccination
Fish DNA vaccine against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus: efficacy of various routes of immunization
Understanding aquatic animal virus survival and trafficking and its role in risk assessment
Nanogram quantities of a DNA vaccine protect rainbow trout fry against heterologous strains of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Genetic analyses reveal unusually high diversity of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout aquaculture
Molecular epidemiology reveals emergence of a virulent infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus strain in wild salmon and its transmission to hatchery fish
Genetic diversity and epidemiology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in Alaska
What's a novirhabdovirus?
Genetic diversity patterns and evolution of an aquatic rhabdovirus
The dose-dependent effect on protection and humoral response to a DNA vaccine against Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) virus in subyearling rainbow trout
Survival of IHN virus in different environments and a molecular tool to monitor virus distribution
Family Rhabdoviridae
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
Protection of rainbow trout against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus four days after specific or semi-specific DNA vaccination
A DNA vaccine against a fish rhabdovirus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), was shown to provide significant protection as soon as 4 d after intramuscular vaccination in 2 g rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) held at 15°C. Nearly complete protection was also observed at later time points (7, 14, and 28 d) using a standardized waterborne challenge model. In a test of the specificityAuthorsS. E. LaPatra, S. Corbeil, G. R. Jones, W. D. Shewmaker, N. Lorenzen, Eric Anderson, Gael KurathFish DNA vaccine against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus: efficacy of various routes of immunization
The DNA vaccine, pIHNVw-G, contains the gene for the glycoprotein (G) of the rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), a major pathogen of salmon and trout. The relative efficacy of various routes of immunisation with pIHNVw-G was evaluated using 1.8 g rainbow trout fry vaccinated via intramuscular injection, scarification of the skin, intraperitoneal injection, intrabuccal adminAuthorsSerge Corbeil, Gael Kurath, Scott E. LaPatraUnderstanding aquatic animal virus survival and trafficking and its role in risk assessment
The stability of infectious agents in different media and under different physical and chemical environments has been extensively studied for some viruses and virtually ignored for others. Gaps in our knowledge are due in part to difficulties in reproducing virus «life cycles» and determination if the agent is in fact inactive. Additionally, isolation of the agent under certain conditions can presAuthorsS. LaPatra, R. Troyer, W. Shewmaker, G. Jones, Gael KurathNanogram quantities of a DNA vaccine protect rainbow trout fry against heterologous strains of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
The efficacy of a DNA vaccine containing the glycoprotein gene of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), a rhabdovirus affecting trout and salmon, was investigated. The minimal dose of vaccine required, the protection against heterologous strains, and the titers of neutralizing antibodies produced were used to evaluate the potential of the vaccine as a control pharmaceutical. Results indiAuthorsS. Corbeil, S. E. LaPatra, Eric Anderson, G. KurathGenetic analyses reveal unusually high diversity of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout aquaculture
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is the most significant virus pathogen of salmon and trout in North America. Previous studies have shown relatively low genetic diversity of IHNV within large geographical regions. In this study, the genetic heterogeneity of 84 IHNV isolates sampled from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) over a 20 year period at four aquaculture facilities within aAuthorsRyan M. Troyer, Scott E. LaPatra, Gael KurathMolecular epidemiology reveals emergence of a virulent infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus strain in wild salmon and its transmission to hatchery fish
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) has been known to be a significant salmonid pathogen in the Pacific Northwest of North America for decades. The goal of this study was to characterize the IHNV genetic heterogeneity and viral traffic over time at a study site in the Deschutes River watershed in Oregon, with an emphasis on the epidemiology of IHNV types causing epidemics in wild kokaneAuthorsEric D. Anderson, H. Mark Engelking, Eveline J. Emmenegger, Gael KurathGenetic diversity and epidemiology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in Alaska
Forty-two infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) isolates from Alaska were analyzed using the ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) and nucleotide sequencing. RPA analyses, utilizing 4 probes, N5, N3 (N gene), GF (G gene), and NV (NV gene), determined that the haplotypes of all 3 genes demonstrated a consistent spatial pattern. Virus isolates belonging to the most common haplotype groups werAuthorsE.G Emmenegger, T.R. Meyers, T.O. Burton, Gael KurathWhat's a novirhabdovirus?
Some of our most well known fish viruses are now members of a newly recognized genus within the virus family Rhabdoviridae. As a member of the rhabdovirus study group of the International Committee for Virus Taxonomy (ICTV), I have been involved for the last five years in working towards updated and improved taxonomic classification of fish rhabdoviruses. The major fruit of this effort has been thAuthorsGael KurathGenetic diversity patterns and evolution of an aquatic rhabdovirus
No abstract available.AuthorsGael Kurath, R.M. Troyer, Eric Anderson, E.J. EmmeneggerThe dose-dependent effect on protection and humoral response to a DNA vaccine against Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) virus in subyearling rainbow trout
A dose–response study that used the DNA vaccine pIHNw-G against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) showed that complete and highly significant (P < 0.001) protection against a virus injection challenge can be attained in subyearling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (145–160 g, 8- to 10-months-old) 6 weeks after a single intramuscular injection with doses as low as 1 μg. Complete proteAuthorsScott E. LaPatra, Serge Corbeil, Gerald R. Jones, William D. Shewmaker, Gael KurathSurvival of IHN virus in different environments and a molecular tool to monitor virus distribution
Abstract not availableAuthorsS. LaPatra, R. Troyer, W. Shewmaker, G. Jones, G. KurathFamily Rhabdoviridae
Abstract not availableAuthorsP.J. Walker, A. Benmansour, C.H. Calisher, R. Dietzgen, R.X. Fang, A.O. Jackson, G. Kurath, J.C. Leong, S. Nadin-Davis, R.B. Tesh, N. TordoNon-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