Jeremy Shaw

Research Interests:

Dr Jeremy Shaw is a research associate with a Ph.D. in marine and biological sciences. His main research interests include the cellular basis of biomineralisation in molluscs, with a particular focus on the delivery mechanisms and control exerted over mineralisation within the tissues and the organic matrix. His main field of expertise is in sample preparation techniques for both light and electron microscopy (TEM and SEM).

• Invertebrate biomineralisation
• Marine invertebrate ecology and physiology
• Biological sample preparation (cryo and microwave)
• Ultrastructural anatomy of cells
• Marine biology

Areas of Expertise:

• Biological sample preparation for TEM and SEM
• Microscopy (LM, TEM, SEM)
• Analytical microscopy (X-ray microanalysis (EDS), EELS, EFTEM)
• Microtomy (wax, semi, ultra-thin, cryo-sectioning)

Current Research Projects:

• The cellular and matrix mediated basis of biomineralisation in chiton teeth.
• Ecotoxicology: The accumulation of heavy metals and toxins in chitons.
• The genetic basis of biomineralisation in chitons.
• Electron microscopic investigations of muscle tissue for the treatment of nemaline myopathy.
• Biomineralisation in pearl oysters.
• Cryogenic sample preparation of biological tissues using high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution.

Current Collaborators:

• Dr Lesley Brooker and Prof. Abagail Elizur (University of the Sunshine Coast)
• Prof. Nigel Laing and Dr Kristen Nowak (Western Australian Institute for Medical Research).
• Dr Luke Twomey and Dr Jeff Cosgrove (Swan River Trust)
• Dr Garth Maker (Murdoch University)

Recent Publications:

Saunders, M., Kong, C., Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J. and Clode, P.L. (2009). Characterization of biominerals in the radula teeth of the chiton, Acanthopleura hirtosa. Journal of Structural Biology Available online. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2009.03.003.

Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J., Brooker, L.R., Stockdale, E.J., Saunders, M. and Clode, P.L. (2009). The chiton stylus canal: an element delivery pathway for tooth cusp biomineralization. Journal of Morphology 270:588-600. DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10705.

Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J., Brooker, L.R., Stockdale, E.J., Saunders, M. and Clode, P.L. (2009). Ultrastructure of the epithelial cells associated with tooth biomineralization in the chiton, Acanthopleura hirtosa. Microscopy & Microanalysis 15:154-165. DOI:10.1017/S1431927609090230. Front cover image:

Stockdale, E.J., Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J. and Clode, P.L. (2009). Imaging organic and mineral phases in a biomineral using novel contrast techniques. Scanning 31:11-18.

Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J. and Brooker, L.R. (2008). Radula synthesis by three species of iron mineralizing molluscs: production rate and elemental demand. J. Marine Biol. Assoc. UK 88(03):597-60. doi: 10.1017/S0025315408000969

Sato-Okoshi, W., Okoshi, K., and Shaw, J. (2008). Polydorid species (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in south-western Australian waters with special reference to Polydora uncinata and Boccardia knoxi. J. Marine Biol. Assoc. UK 88(03):491-501. doi: 10.1017/S0025315408000842

Shaw J.A., Macey, D.J., Clode, P.L., Brooker, L.R., Webb, R.I., Stockdale, E., and Binks, R.M. (2008). Methods of sample preparation of epithelial tissue in chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). American Malacological Bulletin 25:35-41.

Shaw, JA; Macey, DJ; Brooker, LR; Clode, PL & Stockdale, EJ (2008) The stylus canal: A conduit for the delivery of ions to the mineralizing tooth cusps of chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Biomineralization, Pucon, Chile.

Shaw, J. A., Macey, D. J., Clode, P. L. and Brooker, L. R. (2006). “Microwave fixation of radula epithelium in the chiton Acanthopleura hirtosa (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Proceedings of the 2006 Joint AXAA(WA) and WASM Conference, WA. Australia. 22nd-24th September 2006.

Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J., Brooker, L.R., Lee, A.P., Clode, P.L. and Stockdale, E.J. (2006) The culture of iron limited chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) as a method for observing the processes of radula mineralization. Joint meeting of the American Malacological Society and the Western Society of Malacologists, Seattle, USA, Jul 29 –Aug 3.

Shaw, J.A., Macey, D.J., Brooker, L.R., Clode, P.L. and Stockdale, E.J. (2006) The stylus canal: A conduit for the delivery of ions to the mineralizing tooth cusps of chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)? Joint meeting of the American Malacological Society and the Western Society of Malacologists, Seattle, USA, Jul 29 –Aug 3.

Okoshi, K., Shaw, J., Stockdale, E., Lee, A., Macey, D., and Webb, J. (2005) Hard tissue formation and mineralization in larval and juvenile chiton Acanthopleura hirtosa (Mollusca: Polyplacophora), 9th International Symposium on Biomineralization, Pucon, Chile, Dec 6–9.

Shaw, J. A., Macey, D. J., Brooker, L. R., Clode, P. L. and Stockdale, E. J. (2005). “The stylus canal: A conduit for the delivery of ions to the mineralizing tooth cusps of chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)?” The 9th International Symposium on Biomineralization. Pucon, Chile. 6th – 9th December 2005.

Shaw, J. A., Macey, D. J., Brooker, L. R., Lee, A. P., Clode, P. L. and Stockdale, E. J. (2005). “A comparative analysis of the teeth and epithelial tissue in natural and iron starved specimens of the chiton Acanthopleura hirtosa (Mollusca: Polyplacophora).” The 9th International Symposium on Biomineralization. Pucon, Chile. 6th – 9th December 2005.