Shrimp on a Treadmill

I wish I had thought of this.  I really do.  But, the honor actually belongs to Dr. Louis E. Burnett of College of Charleston’s Grice Marine Laboratory.  Dr. Burnett is studying the bacteria Vibrio campbellii which attacks blue crabs, oysters, and shrimp.  He became interested in the way this bacteria affects the performance of the organisms in the field. 

Dr. Burnett and his team came up with this treadmill as a way to simulate the activities of shrimp in the real world.  The treadmill is contained within a respirometer so that the scientists can measure oxygen uptake.  The treadmill is also used to study blue crabs in the same way.  You can check out the College of Charleston site here.

Now, enter YouTube.  The video became an internet success and has been put to every song imaginable.  It has landed Dr. Burnett on MSNBC and countless radio shows.  Although it is in fact humorous, I would like to thank Dr. Burnett and his team for the work they’re doing and let him know that the commercial fishermen in the Charleston area appreciate his efforts.