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Animal Planet to Feature JMU Biology Research

The Vanishing FrogResearch by JMU biology Professor Reid Harris that shows promise in saving frogs and other amphibians from a deadly skin fungus will be featured Thursday, Nov. 20 on Animal Planet.

A three-minute segment filmed in Harris’ Burruss Hall laboratory in September will be part of an Animal Planet Special called “The Vanishing Frog.”

Harris discovered that a naturally occurring skin bacteria on some amphibians repels the deadly fungus, chytridiomycosis. Lab experiments showed that the bacteria retarded the spread of the fungus on both lab dishes and live animals. Harris is now working on a way to take his research from the lab to the natural habitat.

For the latest information on Harris’ research, visit Madison Scholar.