Within nature's mysterious mesh of genetic codes and endless permutations of form lie the secrets of life and death, survival and extinction. Through the ages, people have studied nature's solutions to vexing problems, and every answer uncovered inspires further progress. Scientific progress has allowed our species to rise above many of the challenges of living on Earth, but most of our discoveries also remind us how deeply connected we are to all living things. We may find new cures for human diseases hidden in rainforest canopies or in the depths of tropical seas. At the same time, we are likely to find that human activities are threatening these fragile environments and the valuable medicines they hold. Many scientists seeking cures amid tropical forests and reefs are working to safeguard human AND environmental wellbeing. After thousands of years of discovery, this much is becoming clearer and clearer--the health of our species is utterly dependent on the health of our planet. The Biomedical Marine Research Division at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is grounded in this assumption. The division's biologists, chemists, and molecular scientists are dedicated to finding novel cures for human ailments, and to developing sustainable means of harvesting these cures from the wild oceans. Much of their research revolves around learning how to synthesize useful compounds in the lab so that medically-valuable species, once discovered, can be protected. Equipped with scuba gear, a high-tech submersible, and one of the world's most advanced research ships, this team of leading scientists is preparing to set sail for the tropical waters of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (known as the ABC islands). Along reefs that have been called the rainforests of the sea, these researchers will search for ways to keep us and our fragile world healthier.

COMING MAY 9th!

© 2000, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution