William N Batts
Bill loves to identify new fish viruses! Replicating viral agents are amplified by PCR and DNA sequenced to characterize the viruses. When novel viruses are found, he publishes manuscripts in scientific journals and presents findings at fish health conferences. Recently, Bill was an author on two chapters in the 2016 book, “Aquaculture Virology”.
Research Interests:
Research on all kinds of fish viruses. However, I am focused primarily on RNA viruses of fish. Provide technical assistance to fish health professionals whether they are from state, government, tribal, commercial or from other countries. Specialize in detection and identification methods for existing and novel viruses. I have studied a wide variety of virus types for genomic comparisons: IHNV, VHSV, and other rhabdoviruses of fish, paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, hepeviruses, nidoviruses, bunyaviruses, picornaviruses, reoviruses, birnaviruses, herpesviruses and iridoviruses. Have performed fish exposure studies to ascertain control and prevention strategies on fish viruses. Investigated various potential virus transmission modes. Overall, I'm just trying to understand how the various viruses do what they do and try to give the fish a better chance for survival.
Professional Experience
1983 to Present - Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
Education and Certifications
M.S. 1990. Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
B.S. 1983. Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Honors and Awards
2006 - Citation for the Most Significant Paper in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, Volume 18
1998 - Citation for the Most Significant Paper in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, Volume 9
1991 - Citation for the Most Significant Paper in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, Volume 2
Science and Products
Inactivation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by low levels of iodine
The fish rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was rapidly inactivated by extremely low concentrations of iodine in water. A 99.9% virus reduction was obtained in 7.5 s when virus (105PFU/ml) and iodine (0.1 mg/liter, final concentration) were combined in distilled-deionized or hatchery water. Iodine efficacy decreased at pHs greater than 7.5 or when proteinaceous material was
In characteristics of the first North American isolates of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus
Multiplication of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout following immersion infection: whole-body assay and immunohistochemistry
Isolation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from a leech (Piscicola salmositica) and a copepod (Salmincola sp.), ectoparasites of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka
Concentration of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from water samples by tangential flow filtration and polyethylene glycol precipitation
Comparison of infectious hematopoietic necrosis in natural and experimental infections of spawning salmonids by infectivity and immunohistochemistry
Enhanced detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by pretreatment of cell monolayers with polyethylene glycol
Testing of male sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) for infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus detected by separation and incubation of cells from salmonid cavity fluid.
Science and Products
Inactivation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by low levels of iodine
The fish rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was rapidly inactivated by extremely low concentrations of iodine in water. A 99.9% virus reduction was obtained in 7.5 s when virus (105PFU/ml) and iodine (0.1 mg/liter, final concentration) were combined in distilled-deionized or hatchery water. Iodine efficacy decreased at pHs greater than 7.5 or when proteinaceous material was