Of Moose and Men: Evolutionary Threads in Wildlife Disease and Vaccine Manufacturing

Abstract

Moose calves (Alces alces americana) in northern climates face substantial nutritional stress during winter, and many carry extraordinary winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) burdens—sometimes exceeding 90,000 ticks per animal. To date, nearly 400 collared calves and 51 adult cows in northern Maine have been examined for how co-infection with an uncharacterized Anaplasma bacteria and varying winter tick loads influences survival and fitness. Calves experiencing both Anaplasma blood infection and moderate to heavy tick loads showed a marked reduction in overwinter survival probability. Physiological indicators suggest that Anaplasma infection contributes to anemia and may alter immune function. These findings highlight how co-infecting parasites compound stress in a population already challenged by climate-driven tick proliferation, underscoring the importance of genetic and ecological monitoring for a species of major cultural, ecological, and economic significance in Maine. The second section part of the talk shifts to the molecular manufacturing landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing an Alumni’s journey to being a part of how New England Biolabs mobilized to support Moderna’s mRNA vaccine program. I describe the rapid scaling and manufacturing process development of critical enzymatic reagents and the collaborative problem-solving required to maintain uninterrupted access to high-quality raw materials essential for vaccine production. This high level behind-the-scenes view illustrates how industrial biotechnology can respond with speed and precision when the stakes are global.