A promising study for bivalves as model organisms

Researchers at a Maine Marine Science Center claim that some crustaceans have the ability to contribute to human health, not just when they are covered with linguines.

The Bigelow Lab for Marine Sciences says that a new study published by the journal Developmental & Comparative Immunology shows that the use of bivalves, such as oysters and mussels, is promising for medical research. The lab says shellfish could potentially help everything from bone regeneration to new drug development.

The main author of the article is José Fernández Robledo, principal investigator at Bigelow. He says that model organisms such as mice and flies have long played an important role in scientific research, but that bivalves could be a vital new model.

The lab says the bivalves could help develop new disease control techniques. Oysters, for example, fight pathogens without antibodies.