Transcriptomes of Homarus americanus hepatopancreas linked to Anophryoides haemophila infection

The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is vital to commercial fisheries along North America's Atlantic coast but faces threats from pathogens like Anophryoides haemophila, which causes lethal infections and economic losses. Previous research has identified immune responses in lobsters to this pathogen, but the exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to identify humoral immune factors in lobsters responding to A. haemophila infection using RNA-Seq, a technique that offers comprehensive gene expression analysis without being limited to known genes. The focus is on hepatopancreatic tissue, a key site for antimicrobial peptide and protein production, to uncover both traditional and novel immune response genes.