FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 10, 2007

MEDIA ADVISORY

PFIESTERIA TOXIN BREAKTHROUGH SUBJECT OF TELECONFERENCE BRIEFING

WHAT: Researchers from the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the College of Charleston (S.C.) have formally isolated and characterized the toxin in the estuarine dinoflagellete Pfiesteria Piscicida and also have identified how the organism transforms from a non-toxic to toxic state. The findings will be published in the peer-reviewed science journal, Environmental Science and Technology, on January 11, 2007.

MEDIA TELECONFERENCE AVAILABILITY

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. EST
Reporters will be able to ask questions via teleconference.
Call Ben Sherman, (301) 713-3066 ext. 191 or David Hall, ext. 178, for telephone call-in number and conference password.

WHO: Peter Moeller, Ph.D., NOAA organic chemist researcher, NOAA Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, Charleston, S.C., Principal investigator and lead author of paper.

Relevant Web Sites:
NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

NOAA Ocean Service

Media Contact:
Ben Sherman, NOAA Ocean Service, (301) 713-3066 ext. 178