Mariculture
(Dr. Wade O. Watanabe)

Research in this area can help sustain harvestable marine species such as flounder and seabass.

Diagnostics, Bioassays and Screening
(Drs. Andrea Bourdelais & Daniel G. Baden)

The primary research focus of this group is to develop diagnostic tools for the detection of marine pathogens and toxic marine organisms using new and traditional detection methods.  A second area of interest is to develop cell based bioassays that can be used to screen compounds to determine their mechanism of action.  The third area of interest is to maintain the diagnostic tests and bioassays developed at UNCW for use by other MarbioNC focus groups and collaborators.

Chemical/Molecular Diversity
(Drs. Wendy Strangman & Jeffrey L.C. Wright)

Research involves the purification and structure determination ofnaturally produced compounds from culturable organisms. The research team is also characterizing the metabolic pathways responsible fo rthe biosynthesis of these compounds and in understanding the mechanisms by which the producing enzymes work. The goal of all of these interests is to enhance the laboratory's ability to produce compounds with biological activity and make them available to researchers interested in using them in their studies.

Culturing of Marine Organisms
(Dr. Carmelo R. Tomas)

This group's efforts include identification, isolation and cultivation of harmful marine microalgae (HABS) as reference materials for studies on the composition of toxins and other bioactive compounds.  Presently the culture inventory spans all classes of marine phytoplankton and consists of hundreds of clonal cultures.  These cultures are used in physiological experiments to determine the optimal conditions for growth, toxin production and competition among species.

Business of Biotechnology
view fellowship opportunities!

A unique program, started in 2005, that offers post-doctoral fellows the chance to work on cutting-edge research in marine biotechnology while getting their Master of Business Administration at UNCW's Cameron School of Business. Fellows are enrolled in an MBA program for working professionals that meets two evenings a week as well as one Saturday a month at UNCW.