Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

AB Washington University in St Louis, MO (1982-1985) – Microbial Genetics
Ph.D. University of South Florida (1988-1993) – Marine Sciences/Microbiology/Molecular Biology
Postdoctoral Fellowship Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1994-1996)

Local Pages:

Ecosystem Health
Image Processing
Marine food webs
Molecular Biology
Research Training

Research Interests and Projects

Research in my laboratory focuses on the role of microbial diversity in marine environments, the development and application of the tools of molecular biology in plankton ecology, and the discovery and ecology of parasite and pathogens in marine organisms. The impact and consequences of climate change on living marine systems focuses much of the ongoing research in my research group. A large emphasis is placed on the development and evaluation of new methods, particularly those that can be used in situ. In addition, a focus of my laboratory is the adaptation of molecular biological tools to a wide variety of questions in applied marine sciences, biotechnology, bioremediation, and invasive species issues.

Current Projects:

Microbial Ecology
- NSF (Arctic Natural Science) Collaborative Research: Does competition for nitrogen between autotrophs and heterotrophs control carbon fluxes in the wester coastal Arctic? P. Yaeger (Lead PI, UGA), D. Bronk (VIMS). September 2009 - August 2012
Molecular Plankton Ecology
- NSF Biological Oceanography. Doliolid Blooms: What are the Driving Variables? Investigations of Trophic Interactions; 1/12009-12/31/2012. Co-PI’s G.A. Paffenhöfer (SkIO), Deidre Gibson (Hampton University).
- Molecular Analysis of Plankton Samples for Zebra Mussel Larvae. Open Contract.
Environmental Health
- NOAA (GA DNR) Coastal Incentive Grant Progam (CIG) Cycle XI. Viral tracers as sentinels of septic system integrity and suitability in coastal Georgia. Subcontract with Paul Work (GIT). Oct 2008 – Sept 2011.
- NOAA; Water Quality Evaluation and Monitoring Program in the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary; $29,930; Continuing Contract.
- EPA; Section 319(h) Program. Vernon Basin Fecal Bacteria Assessment and TMDL Implementation Project. 2008 – 2010.
Education and Outreach
- NSF (GK12 Program). Collaborative: New GK12: Building ocean literacy in a coastal community through science education and estuarine monitoring. Co-PI P.G. Verity (at SkIO) lead PI C. Pride (at SSU). 2009-2014.
- NSF (OCE - SUPPORT FOR ENHANCING DIVERSITY)
  Collaborative Project: Enhancing Diversity in Geoscience Education through Coastal Research in a Port City (EDGE) - Track 2. Requested $400,874 (SkIO portion). Co-PI P. Verity (SkIO). C. Pride (Lead PI, SSU)

Recently Completed Projects:

NSF Biocomplexity and Network Analysis: Microbial and Nutrient Controls in Mangrove Ecosystems; 1999 – 2004. With 8 Co-PIs (Project Director – Ilka (Candy) Feller – Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)
NSF Biocomplexity: The Bio-Feedback Basis of Self Organization in Planktonic Ecosystems Using Phaeocystis as a Model Complex Adaptative System. 2000 – 2005. With 3 Co-PIs (Project Director – Peter G. Verity – Skidaway Institute of Oceanography)
NSF Collaboration to Integrate Research and Education in Marine Science. 2001 – 2006. With 4 Co-PIs. (Project Director – Matthew Gilligan – Savannah State University).
National Sea Grant Development of Molecular Diagnostics to Allow Studies on the Life History and Transmission of Dinoflagellate Parasites Infecting Estuarine Crabs. 2002 – 2004. Co-PIs Richard Lee and Dionne Hoskins.
DOE Molecular Approaches for In Situ Studies of Nitrate Utilization by Marine Bacteria. 2003 – 2006. With 3 Co-PIs.

Courses

Coastal Oceanography (Summer Course). Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. Lecturer (Marine Microbiology, Application of Molecular Biology in Marine Sciences)
MSCI 4502. Current Issues in Oceanography. Savannah State University. Organizer and Lecturer.
MSCI 5202. Coastal Oceanography. Savannah State University. Lecturer.
MSCI 7802. Marine Microbial Ecology. Savannah State University.
OCEA 3100. Introduction to Oceanography. Armstrong State Atlantic University. Co-taught with Peter Verity.
ECOL 4100. Ecosystem Complexity. University of Georgia. Lecturer and Organizer.

Adjunct Appointments

University of Georgia, Marine Sciences.
- Adjunct Faculty
Georgia Institute of Technology, Environmental and Civil Engineering.
- Adjunct Faculty
Savannah State University, Marine Sciences.
- Adjunct Faculty.

Selected Publications

Simonelli, P., C. Troedsson, J.C. Nejstgaard, K. Zech, J.B. Larsen, and M.E. Frischer. (2009). Evaluation of DNA extraction and handling procedures for PCR-based copepod feeding studies. Journal of Plankton Research. doi: 10.1093/plankt/fbp087.

Troedsson, C., J-M. Bouquet, R. Skinnes, J-L. Acuña, K. Zech, M.E. Frischer and E.M. Thompson. (2009). Plastic response of the filter feeding house to varying food regimes by the Appendicularian, Oikopleura dioica. Journal of Plankton Research. Doi:10.1093/plankt/fbp085 available online at www.plankt.oxfordjournals.org

Troedsson, C., P. Simonelli, V. Nägele, J.C. Nejstgaard, and M.E. Frischer. (2009). Quantification of copepod gut content by differential length amplification quantitative PCR (dla-qPCR). Marine Biology. 156:253-259

Troedsson, C.,R.F. Lee, T.L. Walters, V. Stokes, K. Brinkley, V. Naegel, and M.E. Frischer. (2008). Detection and discovery of crustacean parasites in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) by 18S rDNA targeted denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 74: 4346-4353.

Percent, S.F., M.E. Frischer, P.A. Vescio, E.B. Duffy, V. Milano, M. McLellan, B.M. Stevens, C.W. Boylen, S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. (2008). Bacterial community structure of acid impacted lakes: what controls diversity?. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 74: 1856-1868.

Nejstgaard, J.C., M.E. Frischer, P. Simonelli, C. Troedsson, M. Brakel, F. Adiyaman, A.F. Sazhin, and L.F. Artigas. (2008). Quantitative PCR to estimate copepod feeding. Marine Biology. 153: 565-577.

Hitchcock, G.L., W.S. Arnold, M.E. Frischer, R.W. Cowen, and C. Kelble. (2008). Short-term disperasal of an intentionally-released patch of larval Mercenaria in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA. Bulletin of Marine Science. 82: 41-47.

Gilligan, M.R., P.G. Verity, C.B. Cook, S.B. Cook, M.G. Booth, and M.E. Frischer. (2007). Building a diverse and innovative ocean workforce through collaboration and partnerships that integrate research and education: HBCUs and marine laboratories. Journal of Geosciences Education. 55: 531-540.

Power C, R. Feldner, B. Scanlon, M. Frischer, and J. Richardson. (2007). Bacterial source tracing in the Vernon River Watershed. Proceedings of the 2007 Georgia Water Resouces conference. University of Georgia. March 27-29. Available at: http://cms.ce.gatech.edu/gwri/uploads/proceedings/2007/4.6.2.pdf

Long, J.D., M.E. Frischer, C.Y. Robertson. (2007). A Phaeocystis globosa bloom associated with upwelling in the subtropical South Atlantic Bight. J. Plankton Research. 29: 769-774.

Jacobsen, A., A. Larsen, J. Martinez-Martinez, M.E. Frischer, P.G. Verity. (2007). Susceptibility of colonies and colonial cells of Phaeocystis pouchetii (Haptophyta) to viral infection. Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 48: 105-112.

Larsen, J.B., M.E. Frischer, K.W. Ockelmann, L.J. Rasmussen, and B.W. Hansen (2007). Temporal occurrence of planktotrophic bivalve larvae identified morphologically and by single step nexted multiplex PCR (SSNM-PCR). J. Plankton Research. 29: 423-436.

S.J. Whipple, B.C. Patten, P.G. Verity, M.E. Frischer, J.D. Long, J.C. Nejstgaard, J.T. Anderson, A. Jacobsen, A. Larsen, J. Martinez-Martinez, and S. Borrett. (2007). Gaining integrated understanding of Phaeocystis spp. (Prymnesiophyceae) through model-driven laboratory and mesocosm studies. Biogeochemistry. 83: 293-309.

Sazhin, A.F., L.F. Artigas, J.C. Nejstgaard, M.E. Frischer (2007). Colonization of Phaeocystis species by pinnate diatoms and other protists: An important contribution to colony biomass. Biogeochemistry. 83: 137-145.

Troedsson, C., M.E. Frischer, J.C. Nejstgaard, and E.M. Thompson. (2006). Molecular Quantification of Ingestion Rates and House Particle Trapping in the Appendicularian, Oikopleura dioica. Limnology and Oceanography. 52: 416-427.

Frischer, M.E., R.F. Lee, M.A. Sheppard, A. Mauer, F. Rambow, M. Neumann, J.E. Brofft, T. Wizenmann, and J.M. Danforth. (2006). Evidence for a Free-Living Life Stage of the Blue Crab Parasitic Dinoflagelate, Hematodinium sp. Harmful Algae. 5: 548-557.

Nejstgaard, J.C., M.E. Frischer, , P.G. Verity, J.T. Anderson, A. Jacobsen, M.J. Zirbel, A. Larsen, J. Martinez, A.F. Sazhin, T. Walters, S.J. Whipple, S. Borett, B.C. Patten, J.D. Long. (2006). Temporal patterns in planktonic food web development in mesocosms with added nutrients and Phaeocystis. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 321: 99-121.

Frischer, M.E. and P.G. Verity. (2006). Alternatives to Coliform Bacteria As Indicators of Human Impact on Coastal Ecosystems. In: Implications of Land Use Change to Coastal Ecosystems Challenges to Effective Resource Management (eds) G.S. Kleppel, M.R. DeVoe, and M. Rawson. Springer Verlag. pp. 253-273.

Frischer, M.E., McGrath, B.R., Hansen, A.S., Vescio, P.A., Wyllie, J.A., Wimbush, J., and Nierzwicki-Bauer, S.A., (2005). Introduction pathways and differential survival of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) adults and larvae in an Adirondack lake, Lake George, NY. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management. 21: 391-402.

Frischer, M.E., J. M. Danforth, T.F. Foy, and R. Juraske. (2005). Bioluminescent Bacteria as Indicators of Human Impact in Coastal Estuarine Systems. J. Environmental Quality. 34: 1328-1336.

Allen, A.E., M.G. Booth, P.G. Verity, and M.E. Frischer. (2005). Influence of nitrate availability on the distribution and abundance of heterotrophic bacterial nitrate assimilation genes in the Barents Sea during summer. Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 39: 247-255.

Larsen, J.B., M.E. Frischer, L.J. Rasmussen, and B.W. Hansen. (2005). Single step nested multiplex PCR to differentiate between different taxa of bivalve larvae. Marine Biology. 146: 1119-1129.

Arnold, W.S., G.L. Hitchcock, M.E. Frischer, R. Wanninkhof, and P. Sheng. (2005). Dispersal of an introduced larval cohort in a coastal lagoon. Limnology & Oceanography. 50: 587-597

Lee, R.F. and M.E. Frischer (2004). Where Have the Blue Crabs Gone: Evidence for a Drought Induced Epidemic of a Protozoan Disease. The American Scientist. 92: 547-553.

Lee, R.F., M.E. Frischer, and A. Walker. (2004). Drough associated epidemic of a blue crab disease in coastal Georgia USA. Proceedings of International Symposium on Long-term Variations in the Coastal Environments and Ecosystems. 27-28 September 2004. Matsuyama, Japan.

Sheppard, M., A. Walker, M.E. Frischer, and R.F. Lee. (2003). Histopathology and prevalence of the parasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium sp., in crabs (Callinectes sapidus, C. similes, Neopanope sayi, Libinia emarginata, Menippe mercenaria) from a Georgia Estuary. Journal of Shellfish Research. 22: 873-880.

Nejstgaard, J.C., M.E. Frischer, C.L. Raule, T. Gruebel, K.E. Kohlberg, and P.G. Verity. (2003). A new approach to an old problem: molecular detection of algal prey in copepod guts and faecal pellets. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods. 1: 29-38.

Frischer, M.E., A.S. Hansen, J.A. Wyllie, J. Wimbush, J. Murray, and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. (2002). Specific Amplification of the 18S rRNA Gene as a Method to Detect Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Larvae in Plankton Samples. Hydrobiologia. 487: 33-44

Arnold, W.S., Marelli, D.C., Parker, M., Hoffman, P., Frischer, M., and Scarpa, J. (2002). Enhancing hard clam (Mercenaria spp.) population density in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: a comparison of strategies to maintain the commercial fishery. J. Shellfish Res. 21: 659-672.

Allen, A.E, Howard-Jones, M.H., Booth, M.G., Frischer, M.E., Verity, P.G., Bronk, D.A., Sanderson, M.P. (2002) Importance of heterotrophic bacterial assimilation of ammonium and nitrate in the Barents Sea during summer. Journal of Marine Systems. 38: 93-108.

Verity, P.G., P. Wassmann, M.E. Frischer, M.H. Howard-Jones, and A.E. Allen. (2002). Grazing of primary production by microzooplankton in the Barents Sea during early summer. Journal of Marine Systems. 38: 109-123.

Howard-Jones, M.H., V.D. Ballard, A.E. Allen, M.E. Frischer, and P.G. Verity. (2002). Distribution of bacterial biomass and activity in the marginal ice zone of the central Barents Sea during summer. Journal of Marine Systems. 38: 77-91.

Gruebl, T., M.E. Frischer, M. Shepperd, M. Neumann, and R.F. Lee. (2002). Development of a 18S rRNA gene targeted PCR based diagnostic for the blue crab parasite, Hematodinium sp. Disease of Aquatic Organisms. 49: 61-70.

Verity, P.G., M.R. Gilligan, M.E. Frischer, M.G. Booth, J.P. Richardson, and C. Franklin. (2002). Improving undergraduate research experiences: lessons from a historically black university’s unusual collaboration. AAHE Bulletin. 54: 3-6.

Benson, A.J., D.C. Marelli, M.E. Frischer, J.M. Danforth, and J.D. Williams. (2001). Establishment of the green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus 1758), (Mollusca: Mytilidae) on the west coast of Florida. Journal of Shellfish Research. 20: 21-29.

King, J.K., J.E. Kostka, M.E. Frischer, F.M. Sanders, and R. Jahnke. (2001). A quantitative relationship that demonstrates mercury methylation rates in marine sediments are based on the community composition and activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria. Environ. Sci. and Tech. 35:2491-2496.

Allen, A.E., M.G. Booth, M.E. Frischer, P.G. Verity, J.P. Zehr, and S. Zani. (2001). Diversity of assimilatory nitrate reductase genes in heterotrophic bacteria and their detection in the marine environment. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67:5343-5348.

Howard-Jones, M.H., M.E. Frischer, and P.G. Verity (2001). Determining the physiological status of individual bacteria cells. In. J.H. Paul (ed.) Methods in microbiology volume 30: marine microbiology. Pages 175-206. Academic Press Ltd, London.

Frischer, M.E., J.M. Danforth, M.A. Newton Healy, and F. M. Saunders. (2000). Whole cell versus total RNA extraction for the analysis of microbial community structure using 16S rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probes in saltmarsh sediments. 66:3037-3043. Appl. Environ. Microbiol

King, J.K., J.E. Kostka, M.E. Frischer, and F.M. Saunders. (2000). Sulfate-reducing bacteria methylate mercury at variable rates in pure culture and in marine sediments. 66:2430-2437. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.

Frischer, M.E., S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer, R.H. Parsons, K. Vathanodorn, and K.R. Waitkus. (2000). Interactions between zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and microbial communities. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 57:591-599.

Frischer, M.E., J.M. Danforth, L.C. Tyner, J.R. Leverone, D.C. Marelli, W.S. Arnold, N.J. Blake. (2000). Development of an Argopecten-specific 18S rRNA Targeted genetic Probe. Mar.Biotechnol. 2:11-20.

Reyes, N.S., M.E. Frischer, And P.A. Sobecky. (1999). Characterization of mercury resistance mechanisms in marine sediment microbial communities. FEMS Microbial Ecology. 30:273-284.

Frischer, M.E., S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer, M. Resto, A. Toro, and G.A. Toranzos. (1999). Zebra Mussels as Possible Biomonitors/Filters of the Protozoan Pathogen Cryptosporidium. Dressenia! 10:1-5.

Williams, S.C., Y. Hong, D.C.A. Danavall, M.H. Howard-Jones, D. Gibson, M.E. Frischer, and P.G. Verity. (1998). Distinguishing between living and nonliving bacteria: evaluation of the vital stain propidium iodide and the combined use with molecular probes in aquatic samples. J. Microbiol. Methods. 32:225-236.

Frischer, M.E., J. Williams, E. Kenchington. (1998). A molecular phylogeny of the major groups of pectinidae inferred from 18S rRNA gene sequences. In: Bivalves: An Eon of Evolution – Paleobiological Studies Honoring Norman D. Newell. (Ed.) Paul A. Johnston and James W. Haggart. University of Calgary Press, Calgary, Canada. pp 213-221.

Williams, H.G., J. Benstead, M.E. Frischer, and J.H. Paul. (1997). Alteration in plasmid DNA following natural transformation to populations of marine bacteria. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology, 6:238-247.

Wilson, R.R. Jr., K.A. Donaldson, M.E. Frischer, and T.B. Young. (1997). Mitochondrial mtDNA control region of common Snook and its prospect for use as a genetic “tag”. Journal of Fisheries Transactions, 126:594-606

Frischer, M.E., J.A. Wyllie, A.S. Hansen, and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. 1997. Development and utilization of genetic probes for studying zebra mussel veligers. Proceedings of the 1997 Georgia Water Resourcs Conference, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Frischer, M.E., P.J Floriani, and S.A. Nierzwicki-Bauer. (1996). Differential sensitivity of 16S rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probes used for fluorescence in situ hybridization is a result of ribosomal higher order structure. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 42: 1061-1071

Frischer, M.E., H.G. Williams, B. Bennison, G.R. Drake, D.L. Balkwill, and J.H. Paul. (1996) The naturally transformable marine bacterium “Vibrio” WJT-1C is a pseudomonad. Current Microbiology. 33: 287-291

Frischer, M.E., G.J. Stewart, and J.H. Paul. (1994). Plasmid transfer to indigenous marine bacterial populations by natural transformation. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 15:127-136

Boehme, J., M.E. Frischer, S.C. Jiang, C.A. Kellogg, S. Pichard, J.B. Rose, C. Steinway, and J.H. Paul. (1993). Viruses, bacterioplankton, and phytoplankton in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico: distribution and contribution to oceanic DNA pools. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 97:1-10.

Pichard, S.L., M.E. Frischer, and J.H. Paul (1993). Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase gene expression in subtropical marine phytoplankton populations. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 101:55-65.

Frischer, M.E., J.M. Thurmond, and J.H. Paul. (1993) Factors affecting competence in a high frequency of transformation marine Vibrio. General Journal of Microbiology, 139:753-761

Paul, J.H., J.M. Thurmond, M.E. Frischer, and J.P. Cannon. (1992). Intergeneric natural plasmid transformation between E. coli and a marine Vibrio species. Molecular Ecology, 1:37-46.

Paul, J.H., M.E. Frischer, and J.M. Thurmond. (1991). Gene transfer in marine water column and sediment microcosms by natural plasmid transformation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 57:1509-1515.

Frischer, M.E., J.M. Thurmond, and J.H. Paul. (1990). Natural plasmid transformation in a high frequency of transformation Vibrio strain. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 56:3439-3444.

Lay Publications

Frischer, M.E. (2001). Stalking the Zebra Mussel. Skidaway Scenes. January, 2001.

Booth, M., and M.E. Frischer (2001). Mangrove Mission. Skidaway Scenes. April, 2001.

Frischer, M.E. and M. Sullivan (2005). Marsh Grass Making a Comeback. The Landings Journal. Savannah, GA. September 2005: 1, cont. on page 8. Available online www.landings.org

Frischer, M.E. (2006). The Skinnie. SkIO scientists solve a mystery. What’s eating the blue crab. The Skinnie 4(15): 35-36.