The Barnacle Balanus improvisus as a Marine Model - Culturing and Gene ExpressionPer R. Jonsson 1, Anna-Lisa Wrange 3, Ulrika Lind 2, Anna Abramova 2, Martin Ogemark 1, Anders Blomberg 2
1Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 2Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 3IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
The barnacle Balanus (Amphibalanus) improvisus is a model for studying osmoregulation and antifouling. However, natural seasonal spawning yields an unpredictable supply of cyprid larvae. Here, a protocol for the all-year-round culturing of B. improvisus is described, including the production of larvae. The use of cultured barnacles in gene expression studies is illustrated.
