Document Type
Report
Abstract
Division of Biomedical Marine Research (DBMR) scientists [Dr. Shirley Pomponi (Principal Investigator; Director, Division of Biomedical Marine Research), John Reed (Chief Scientist; Dive Safety Off icer), Dr. Amy Wright, Robin Willoughby, Kathleen Janda, and Dr. Susan Sennett] and visiting scientists [Dr. Michelle Kelly-Borges, Dr. James McInerney, Dr. David Myles, Christi Adams, and Klaus Kelly-Borges] conducted a 7 day research expedition to the Bahama Islands on the R/V EDWIN LINK from October 25 to 31, 1996. One submersible dive was also conducted on the deep-water Oculina coral banks of central eastern Florida. The primary objectives were: 1) to conduct biochemical and DNA research on targeted bioactive sponges, 2) to collect marine invertebrates for discovery of novel compounds with therapeutic potential; 3) to document the biodiversity of deep-water benthic communities with videotapes, 35-mm photographs, and museum specimens using the JOHNSON-SEA-LINK II Research Submersible; 4) to isolate heterotrophic microorganisms for culture; and 5) to procure living specimens of sponges and tunicates for cell culture research.
A total of 12 submersible dives and 11 scuba/snorkel dives were conducted at 23 dive sites. The expedition resulted in the collection of 123 samples of macroinvertebrates, 81 microbial samples, and 14 samples for cell culture. These samples will be used in DBMR's research program with the purpose of identifying potential pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of cancer, microbial diseases, diseases of the immune system, and other therapeutic agents.
Publication Date
1-23-1997
Recommended Citation
Pomponi, Shirley A.; Reed, John K.; Wright, Amy E.; Janda, Kathleen E.; Willoughby, Robin; Sennett, Susan H.; Kelly-Borges, M.; McInerney, James O.; Adams, Christi L.; Kelly-Borges, Klaus,; and Myles, David, "SUBMERSIBLE AND SCUBA COLLECTIONS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS AND FLORIDA'S OCULINA CORAL BANKS: BIOMEDICAL AND BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH OF THE BENTHIC COMMUNITIES WITH EMPHASIS ON PORIFERA AND GORGONACEA." (1997). Faculty Scholarship. 58.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/faculty_papers/58
Comments
Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Technical Report #83