Media report on UMaine research about lobster shells fighting soil pathogens that impact potatoes

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

December 27, 2022 Research, UMaine in the News

The Bangor Daily News, News Center Maine, MaineBiz, CentralMaine.com, Lincoln County News, Morning Ag Clips, WMAZ-TV (Channel 13 in Macon, Georgia) Spud Smart, Potato Pro, Potato News Today and Potato Grower reported that researchers at the University of Maine are currently exploring whether lobster shells can be used to combat soil pathogens like early dying syndrome in potato fields. The fungus responsible for the disease is present in Maine soils and can wipe out half an annual crop. Katie Ashley, a plant science doctoral student at UMaine, is working under the hypothesis that the correct concentration of the compound chitin can prevent these fungal diseases. About 75 percent of a lobster’s shell contains chitin, one of the most abundant polysaccharides in nature, second only to cellulose.