Scientist eager to “develop skills and contribute to a dynamic team” Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences today announced its hiring of Mandy Hufstader as clinical laboratory technician. Hufstader has an extensive background in biological laboratories like KRB, having worked as a lab technician for 15 years in her native Australia. Most recently, she worked as teaching services coordinator at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Zoology. In this capacity she provided support to both undergraduate practical classes and to departmental research projects, supervised other laboratory staff, and handled purchasing, procurement and equipment maintenance. Prior to her years at the University, Hufstader had worked at the Bartter Vaccine Production Laboratory, at the Cancer Research Unit and Microbiology/Virology Research Laboratory at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, and at the Royal Children’s Hospital. “KRB offers me a challenging opportunity in biological sciences where I can develop my skills, and contribute to a dynamic laboratory team,” said Hufstader. “It’s an excellent fit for me.” “Mandy is conscientious, efficient and pleasant to be around,” said Lab Director Dr. Cem Giray. “She has quickly become a very liked and respected member of our team and no doubt well-placed to soon take on a leadership role in our company.” Hufstader’s background will help Kennebec River Biosciences continue to grow its capacity to provide top-quality diagnostics and inspections for aquatic species, as well as its first-in-class USDA-licensed autogenous vaccines. By identifying viral or bacterial pathogens of concern and by isolating the specific strain(s) found at a client’s facility, KRB is able to target its vaccines to the precise needs of the customer. Hufstader enjoys camping and travel. She has served as an emergency warden, holds First Aid Level 2 competency, and is an avid distance...

Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences today celebrated its 20th year in business, providing solutions for aquaculture, hatcheries and others concerned with fish and shellfish health. Formerly known as Micro Technologies, KRB was established on April 22, 1996 at 43 Main St in downtown Richmond. Initially focused on providing health testing such as diagnostics and screenings for aquatic animals, KRB has since expanded to provide solutions such as autogenous vaccines, regulatory consultation, and contract research. While KRB at first served local customers, it now serves hundreds of clients ranging from Mexico to Vietnam and from Canada to Indonesia, and has tested hundreds of species of fish, shellfish and other aquatic organisms. Lab and vaccine production space has expanded into multiple adjacent buildings. KRB is today the largest commercial fish health lab in North America and offers more USDA/APHIS-approved assays for aquatic animal export certification than any other laboratory. Thanks to careful identification and isolation of more virulent pathogens, KRB is able to produce highly targeted, custom vaccines. As part of a proactive, well-structured fish health program, vaccination can help hatcheries and aquaculture enterprises reduce costs, improve growth and survival, and improve their overall...

British-born researcher “keen to work at the forefront of marine biological sciences.” Kennebec River Biosciences today announced its hiring of Ben Coupland as molecular biologist. Coupland has an extensive background in microbiology, pathology and biochemistry.  As scientific officer at the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, England, a leading cancer research facility, his work was published in four leading scientific journals.  While there, he provided clinical diagnostic service to the Royal Marsden Hospital, operated DNA extraction, Sanger sequencing machines and an institute-wide sequencing service, maintained lab spaces and equipment, completed Sanger validation and MLPA confirmation of NGS data, and trained new staff on laboratory techniques, application and auditing of ISO15189:2012 standards. “I enjoyed immensely the challenges of working in a globally-respected cancer research center,” said Coupland, “but I was also keen to make the move to the USA and to work at the forefront of marine biological sciences at Kennebec River Biosciences.” “Ben is a terrific addition to our staff,” said Lab Director Dr. Cem Giray.  “His talents and experience will enable us to do more for our customers in aquaculture and elsewhere in the blue biotechnology space.” Coupland’s background allows Kennebec River Biosciences to further expand its world-class diagnostic and health certification work for fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals.  As a molecular biologist at KRB, Coupland will put to work his extensive experience in with microbial identification, genetics, cell culture and bacterial transformation experiments to help identify pathogens causing disease in fish and shellfish farms as well as wild fisheries.  This careful identification and isolation of virulent pathogens by molecular biologists like Coupland is what enables Kennebec River Biosciences to design and produce the most effective custom vaccines, helping fish farmers and hatchery or nursery managers to avoid losses due to related diseases while also reducing treatment...

Seth Berry, KRB’s Vice President for Business Development, was profiled in the latest MaineBiz.  Questions focused on his transition from leadership in the public sector to the private sector, and his impressions of the laboratory and its clients. As former House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature, Berry calls Kennebec River Biosciences “the kind of business that we want to grow more of here in...

Dr. Cem Giray, COO and Laboratory Director of Kennebec River Biosciences, presented an overview of risks to Maine’s fishery associated with imported baitfish at the 2015 Maine Fisherman’s Forum. The study was prompted in part by the increase in the number of species used as bait over the last few decades.  Among the more than 30 species commonly used as baitfish in Maine’s lobster and crab fisheries today, many are imported from distant locations including the continents of Asia, Australia, South America, and Europe. Risk assessment of each baitfish source is important because without careful monitoring, movement of aquatic life can damage ecosystems, economies and livelihoods. Viral agents can cause diseases in finfish (e.g., viral hemorrhagic septicemia) as well as crustaceans (e.g., white spot syndrome in shrimp), as can bacteria or parasites.  These diseases can directly affect wild fisheries, and aquaculture operations, or both.  Invasive species can also compete with native species:  for instance, Caulerpa taxifolia is native to the Indian Ocean, but was accidentally introduced into the Mediterranean Sea.  An invasive algae, it has grown in dense monocultures, excluding other marine life and negatively affecting the livelihood of local fishermen.  Biofouling, in which aquatic species such as tunicates can clog nets & fishing gear, can be made worse when invasive species are introduced into environments where their natural predators or other controls do not exist. The purpose of the study was to provide data on risk levels of alternative bait species sourced from different regions, allowing fishermen to make informed decisions while at the same time making as many baitfish species available for use as possible. KRB’s study analyzed nearly 50 bait sources, and found that at present, a majority pose a low risk to Maine’s environment and to other aquatic species.  In cases where use of the particular bait source carries moderate risk, mitigation is possible.  The collection season, for instance, can influence whether a pathogen is absent or dormant.  Bait can be screened for targeted pathogens, using internationally accepted OIE standards.  Processing such as freezing or salting bait may also help in some cases by destroying potential pathogens or parasites.  A handful of the nearly 50 species screened by KRB were identified as posing an elevated risk. As of June 2015, approved bait for lobster and crabs in Maine will include Atlantic cod and herring, croaker, halibut, kinky, lingcod, mackerel, mullet, orange roughy, menhaden, pollock, redfish, river herring, rockfish, sablefish, skate, shad, sole, tuna, and any species caught in Maine coastal waters or the NEFMC groundfish complex. For specific, up-to-date regulatory information, readers should consult the lobster and crab baitfish page of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. “’Maine is a relatively pristine environment still,” said Dr. Giray, “but it is changing.”  Ongoing...