White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease caused by *Pseudogymnoascus destructans*,
which poses a significant threat to our bat populations. Characterized by white mycelial
growth on the bats' skin, WNS leads to high mortality rates during hibernation when
bats are most vulnerable.
The Bioinnovation Laboratory is researching the disease's mechanisms and developing
treatment and prevention strategies in collaboration with institutions like Zoo Atlanta
to help protect bat populations from extinction.
Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a psychrophilic fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome in bats. Named for the white mycelial growth on the skin of the muzzle, ears, and wings, WNS usually presents itself during winter, while bats are in a state of hibernation. During this torpor, the suppression of metabolic activity of the bat reduces energy expenditure, enabling survival through the winter until environmental conditions improve. Along with this comes reduced immune system function, leaving bats unable to adequately fight off this infection. In addition to physical damage by the fungus from colonization of tissue, the infection also affects water retention, provokes more frequent arousal, and increases energy use that prematurely depletes fat reserves, leading to high mortality among the infected.
P. destructans spores can remain viable in host-free environments for extended periods of time. Repopulating a WNS-affected cave with bats has the potential to facilitate infection of the new colony. In addition, the physical inaccessibility of many parts of caves where bats hibernate make developing disease management solutions a significant challenge. Our research focus is to develop methods for disease treatment and prevention that are safe for both bats and the environment, and can overcome the difficulties of working in karst environments.
Developing disease management strategies for bat white-nose syndrome, produced in 2016 and funded by Williams/Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company.
Special Bacteria Helps Heal Sick Batswas produced in 2015 byNational Geographic. It documents the first successful treatment of white-nose syndrome, by our research
group and collaborators, and the release of those treated bats back into the wild.
Battle For Bats: Surviving White Nose Syndrome was produced in 2013 for the USDA Forest
Service by Ravenswood Media. It shows how government and private agencies have come
together to search for solutions to help bat populations.
Related Research
Biocontrol Agents
We are currently investigating novel and efficacious methods for biological and chemical
control ofP. destructans. Further study is needed to establish effective and safe treatment regimes as well
as potential collateral impacts. However, initial testing has yielded positive results.
Rhodococcus rhodochrousstrain DAP 96253 is a strain of bacteria with unique metabolic activity. It was originally
discovered by Dr. George Pierce and developed at Georgia State University for its
ability to delay the ripening of climacteric fruit, after the bacteria underwent an
induction process of being grown under specific conditions (as per the methods of
Pierce et al., 2011). Interestingly, the delayed-ripening effects were being elicited
without the fruit ever being in direct contact with the bacteria- they merely needed
to share the same air-space. It was also observed that there was a lower fungal burden
on exposed fruit. After a range of susceptibility tests, it was found to posses antifungal
activity. We are currently investigating mechanisms behind the mode of action as well
as application methods.
Antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), VOC formulations, essential oils, and
other compounds are also being investigated for their ability to inhibit fungal growth.
Development and testing is underway on a device to modulate dispersal of these compounds
(patent pending, 62/036497).
Cornelison, Christopher T. The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend, A new hope in the battle
against WNS? Bats Magazine. Summer, 2013. (32)1:2-4. Print.PDF.Text.
