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Dan Distel
Director, Ocean Genome Legacy Center & Professor of Marine Science at Northeastern University

Dan Distel in the Press

Dan Distel for Northeastern Global News

New species of mussel that lives in an ancient undersea forest discovered by Northeastern marine scientist
A newly discovered mussel seen under a microscope.

New species of mussel that lives in an ancient undersea forest discovered by Northeastern marine scientist

The discovery makes the tiny mollusk the first species to be found as part of the Ocean Census project to discover 100,000 new species.
Was a baby great white shark caught on camera for the first time? Northeastern expert explains why it could be major discovery 
A presumed baby great white shark in the ocean.

Was a baby great white shark caught on camera for the first time? Northeastern expert explains why it could be major discovery 

A marine biologist says more work needs to be done to confirm the facts but if it's true it could help us study and protect the species.
Unlike humans, shipworms have no problem with bacteria getting in their cells. Why?
Photo of a shipworm

Unlike humans, shipworms have no problem with bacteria getting in their cells. Why?

Studying the helpful kind of bacteria in shipworms may help researchers understand dangerous infections in humans.
Here’s what we can learn from the bacteria in the clam that sank a thousand ships

Here’s what we can learn from the bacteria in the clam that sank a thousand ships

Shipworms are long, thin mollusks famed (and feared) for their ability to eat wood. They rely on bacterial partners to break the wood down.
It’s a clam that dresses in pinstripes and devours wood

It’s a clam that dresses in pinstripes and devours wood

Researchers from Northeastern’s Ocean Genome Legacy Center in Nahant, MA, discovered a new species of wood-boring clam in the Philippines.
New York authorities and Ocean Genome Legacy Center investigate fish mislabeling, revealing fakes

New York authorities and Ocean Genome Legacy Center investigate fish mislabeling, revealing fakes

An investigation with NU's Ocean Genome Legacy Center found that species are misidentified in over a quarter of the fish sold at NY grocery stories.
It’s #CephalopodWeek! Here’s all you need to know about the stealthiest creatures in the ocean.

It’s #CephalopodWeek! Here’s all you need to know about the stealthiest creatures in the ocean.

Cephalopods—which include octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish—can change their color, shape, and texture to blend in with their background.
‘Unicorn’ shipworm could reveal clues about human medicine and bacterial infections

‘Unicorn’ shipworm could reveal clues about human medicine and bacterial infections

Professor Daniel Distel and his colleagues say studying the giant shipworm could add to our understanding of how bacteria cause infection.
Researchers discover new digestive strategy in shipworms

Researchers discover new digestive strategy in shipworms

An international research team led by Dan Distel, director of the Ocean Genome Legacy at Northeastern University, has discovered a novel digestive strategy in a wood-boring clam. The breakthrough, the researchers say, may also be a game-changer for the industrial production of clean biofuels.