Dr. Cliff Ross Assistant Professor B.S. (Marine Biology) Florida Atlantic University, 1996 M.S. (Biology) Florida Atlantic University, 1998 Ph.D. (Marine Science) University of California, Santa Barbara, 2005 Postdoctoral Fellow Smithsonian Marine Station 2005-2007 Joined UNF faculty in 2007 Office: 3/2216 Phone: 620-2830 Lab: 4/2261 Email: cliff.ross@unf.edu RESEARCH WEBPAGE

Teaching: General Biology I, Marine Biology, Current Applications in Biology, Marine Botany

Research: Cellular mechanisms of stress responses in marine organisms, ecological physiology.

My research merges a diverse array of biochemical, physiological, and ecological methodologies to examine the cellular mechanisms governing stress responses in micro/macro algae, cyanobacteria, seagrasses, and corals. By using an integrative approach, we can tease apart the cellular mechanisms that regulate larger scale processes.  Representative projects include:

Pathogen-Induced Defense Responses in Seagrasses:

Seagrasses are widely distributed marine vascular plants that are an integral component of coastal ecosystems. Several seagrass species are susceptible to periodic outbreaks of a “wasting disease” (presumed to be affiliated with the opportunistically pathogenic slime mold Labyrinthula sp.) that can contribute to rapid population declines. Although there is an increasing awareness of the impacts of diseases in the marine environment, the elucidation of marine plant defense responses against invading pathogens is just emerging. Fortunately, due to the value of agriculturally related plants, a tremendous amount of research has been placed on understanding the basis of active defense responses in terrestrial plants. Bearing in mind that marine angiosperms (seagrasses) are descendents of terrestrial plants, we can use this work as a platform to further our understanding of defense systems in marine plants. Using seagrass (Turtle grass and Eelgrass) and Labyrinthula sp. as a model system, we are particularly interested in the structural and functional identification of elicitors, intracellular signal transduction components, and the transcriptional activation of defense proteins and secondary metabolites.

Effects of Environmental Stressors on Toxic Cyanobacteria :

Planktonic and benthic cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) blooms are undoubtedly becoming more numerous, widespread and persistant in coastal systems (freshwater and marine systems alike). Perhaps of most concern are the cyano-harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). Genera such as Microcystis, Anabaena, Cylindrospermopsis and Lyngbya are adept at exploiting nutrient rich conditions and are capable of producing a variety of toxins and other secondary metabolites. High quantities of toxic metabolites not only affect human health but also have a direct impact on the wellbeing of coastal ecosystems. Our research interests are 1) to understand the environmental factors (both biotic and abiotic) that regulate bloom initiation (and demise) and 2) to elucidate the internal signaling events  that lead to the upregulation/downregulation of cyanotoxin biosynthesis by using known inhibitors and promoters of cellular signaling processes.

Effects of Environmental Stressors on Scleractinian and Soft Corals:
 
As coral reefs decline on a global scale, it is important to understand the stresses that influence the defense capabilities, adaptation and recruitment processes of different coral species. Our current research interests, within this broad area, are 1) to study the effects of environmental stressors and cellular regulatory processes that control coral settlement, 2) to understand the internal signaling events that may be involved in coral bleaching, and 3) to evaluate the effects of abiotic and biotic environmental stressors on secondary metabolite production.

Recent Publications:

Gunasekera, S.P., Ross, C., Paul, V.J., Matthew, S. and Luesch, H. 2008. Dragonamides C and D, Linear lipopeptides from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya polychroa. Journal of Natural Products 71, 887-890.

Mathew, S., Ross, C., Paul, V.J., and Luesch, H. 2008. Pompanopeptins A and B, new cyclic peptides from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbyaconfervoides. Tetrahedron 64, 4081-4089.

Ross, C., Puglisi, M.P., and Paul, V.J., 2008. Anti-fungal defense systems of Seagrass communities. Aquatic Botany 88, 134-131.

Paul, V.J., Arthur, K.E., Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., and Sharp, K. 2007. Chemical Defenses: From Compounds to Communities. Biological Bulletin 213: 226-251.

Ross, C. and Van Alstyne, K.L., 2007. Intraspecific variation in stress-induced hydrogen peroxide scavenging by the ulvoid macroalga Ulva lactuca. Journal of Phycology 43 (3). 466-474.

Matthew, S., Ross, C., Rocca, J.R., Paul, V.J., and Luesch, H. 2007. Lyngbyastatin 4, a  Dolastatin 13 analog with elastase and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides. Journal of Natural Products 70 (1): 124-127.

Ross, C., Vasquez-Santiago, L., and Paul, V.J., 2006. Toxin secretion in response to oxidative stress and programmed cell death in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Aquatic Toxicology 78 (1): 66-73.

Ross, C., Küpper, F. C., and R. S. Jacobs., 2006. Involvement of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in the wound response in Dasycladus vermicularis (Chlorophyta).  Chemistry & Biology 13 (3): 353-364.

Ross, C., Küpper, F. C., Vreeland, V., Waite, J.H., and R. S. Jacobs. 2005. 
Evidence of a Latent Oxidative Burst in Relation to Wound Repair in the Giant
Unicellular Chlorophyte Dasycladus vermicularis. Journal of Phycology  41 (3): 46-54.

Ross, C., Vreeland, V., Waite, J.H., and Robert S. Jacobs. 2005. 
Rapid Assembly of a Wound Plug; Stage One of a Two Stage Wound Repair Mechanism in the Giant Unicellular Chlorophyte  Dasycladus vermicularis. Journal of Phycology 41 (1): 531-541.