From the raw bar to the bench: Bivalves as models for human health

Mollusk bivalves, from raw oysters to steamed clams, are popular choices among the seafood lovers and once limited to the coastal areas, the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry and improvement in the preservation and transport of seafood make them ready available anywhere in the world. Over the years oysters, mussels, and clams have been the focus of research for improving the production, managing this resource, and investigating basic research biological and ecological questions. During this decade, an impressive amount of information using high-throughput genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic technologies has been produced in various classes of the Mollusca group, and it is anticipated that basic and applied research will significantly benefit from this resource. One aspect that also is taking momentum is the use of bivalves as a model system for human health. In this review, we highlight some of the aspects of the biology of mollusks that have a direct implication in human health including the shell formation, stem cells and cell differentiation, the ability to fight complex pathogens in the absence of adaptive immunology, as source of alternative drugs, microbiome turnover, toxicology, and cancer research. There is still a long way to go; however, the next time that you order a dozen of oysters in your favorite raw bar, think about a tasty model organism that will please your palate but also help to unlock multiple aspects of molluscan biology and to improve the human health.