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Cover CTD recovery aboard Tara Oceans. Š J. Girardot/Fonds Tara; Acantharia, a class of free-living, exclusively marine protists. Photo by Pete Countway. This page A Chaetoceros diatom. p 1 Cafeteria roenbergensis. Microscope image by Matthais Fischer. pp 2-3 Mixed protists. Photo by Pete Countway. Inside back cover Emiliania huxleyi.
(AND OUR PLANET ) BECAUSE THE OCEAN IS VITAL TO US
THE WORLD
ARE AT H UNPRECE IN HUMAN
OF ENTERING A PHASE OF EXT
D’S OCEANS
HIGH RISK EDENTED N HISTORY.
TINCTION OF MARINE SPECIES
— INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON THE STATE OF THE OCEAN (IPSO), 2011
Clockwise from top left 1 Sunrise on the R/V Melville. Photo by Rebecca Fowler. 2 Marine biofilm of a photosynthetic alga (red autofluoresence) growing with a background of bacteria (stained blue). Photo by Joyce McBeth. 3 Leptothrix cholodnii sheaths and cells. Photo by Amy Langdon and Emily Fleming. 4 Research Associate Ilana Gilg and Postdoctoral Researcher Joaquín Martínez. Photo by Dennis Griggs.
DISCOVERY AT BIGELOW MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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he ocean is the source of almost all the water that falls on Earth, and the organisms within it generate half the oxygen we breathe. The ocean holds 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere, affects the weather in profound ways, and is the main protein source for a billion human beings. It also serves as a vast repository of genetic diversity for new biochemical products and medicines. Yet the ocean today is increasingly threatened—by climate change, acidification, depletion of wild fish populations, pollution, invasive species, and coastal development. Indeed, the independent Pew Oceans Commission reported that the world’s oceans are in “a state of silent collapse.” That is why Bigelow’s fundamental research in marine microbiology, ocean health, ocean biogeochemistry, and climate is more urgent than ever.
Our unique work—advancing knowledge of the key connections between the ocean, land, and atmosphere—takes place at the critical interface between the ocean’s smallest living organisms and the major global ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. We also deliver unbiased information and expertise to help inform government policy, mentor and inspire the next generation of ocean scientists, and develop technology to help solve problems and harness the ocean’s potential to benefit society.
THE TIME IS NOW
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t the microbial level, the ocean is one of the largest—yet least explored— ecosystems on the planet. It represents a truly colossal reserve of biological diversity waiting to be discovered, described, and understood. Dr. Graham Shimmield, Bigelow Laboratory’s executive director and president, says, “Our challenge is to deliver knowledge that is essential to the development of global ocean policy and management protocols. These discoveries play a critical role in addressing the physical and biological impacts of climate change, ocean acidification, and sea level rise.”
This page 1 Graham Shimmield. Photo by Dennis Griggs. Opposite page, left to right 1 Barney Balch. Photo by Rebecca Fowler. 2 Pete Countway. Photo by Greg Bernard. 3 David Emerson. Photo by Joyce McBeth. 4 David Fields. 5 Cindy Heil. Photo by Tatiana Brailovskaya. 6 Paty Matrai. 7 David McClellan. 8 Mike Sieracki. 9 Ramunas Stepanauskas. 10 Ben Twining. 11 Willie Wilson. 12 Hwan Su Yoon. Photo by Greg Bernard. Photos by Dennis Griggs except where noted.
Bigelow is also home to the Congressionally designated National Center for the Culture of Marine Phytoplankton, one of the world’s largest collections of critical microbial research strains. BIGELOW LEADS THE WAY At Bigelow Laboratory, we: Pioneered the use of color satellite imagery to estimate the primary productivity of the oceans Developed innovative marine applications of flow cytometry for use in state-of-the-art microbial oceanography
MEET OUR SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS At Bigelow Laboratory, our Senior Research Scientists (SRSs) stand at the heart of everything we do. These distinguished scientists are responsible for the knowledge and creativity that leads to innovation and advances in ocean science through grant proposals to public and private funding sources.
Advanced single-cell genomics, a cutting-edge field that makes it possible to study the genetic code of the 98% of ocean microbes that cannot be studied with standard microbiology cultivation techniques Partnered with Yale University School of Medicine to seek potential applications of our research to medicine Allied with Colby College to help train the next generation of ocean scientists
The SRSs work across our three core areas of ocean science—marine microbiology and blue biotechnology, ocean biogeochemistry and climate change, and ocean health and marine ecosystem function.
Exploring the world’s ocean—from microbes to global ecosystems— in a spirit of scientific freedom, creativity, and collaboration
1 Acanthometra pellucida
THE OCEAN REPRESEN COLOSSAL RESERVE OF DIVERSITY WAITING TO B DESCRIBED, AND UNDE
Left to right 1 Chaetoceros sp. 2 photosynthetic algae biofilm with bacteria 3 C. roenbergensis 4 Phormidium sp. 5 Prorocentrum sp.
NTS A TRULY F BIOLOGICAL BE DISCOVERED, ERSTOOD.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
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igelow Laboratory is a unique and remarkable institution—now in the process of defining its identity and scope in order to meet 21st-century environmental challenges and sustain its position as a leader in ocean research and education. We continue to support innovative research while promoting new educational partnerships and a program of corporate alliances and technology transfer. These initiatives will help strengthen Maine’s innovation economy, create jobs, and harness the ocean’s enormous potential to benefit society.
1 CroV genome diagram. Illustration by Matthias Fischer.
Ocean Science and Education Campus Within a decade, thanks to a major capital fundraising campaign, the Laboratory will own and operate STATEOF-THE-ART FACILITIES at our 64-acre home in East Boothbay, Maine.
a combined local impact of $57 million, and will provide as many as 350 full and part-time jobs.
The construction of our new OCEAN SCIENCE AND EDUCATION CAMPUS began in September 2010 after receiving over $18 million in three separate, highly competitive state and federal grants.
The facility’s BIGELOW CENTER FOR BLUE TECHNOLOGY will serve as a commercialization vehicle leading to new patents, licensing agreements, products and services, and startups. It will also raise the profile and profitability of scientific innovation in Maine.
Over two-and-a-half years, the project—which meets LEED Gold design, construction, and operation standards—will have
The campus will open up striking new research opportunities:
THE CENTER FOR OCEAN BIOCHEMISTRY AND CLIMATE CHANGE will advance humanity’s understanding of—and ability to predict and manage—the ocean’s role in global climate variability. THE CENTER FOR OCEAN HEALTH will address emerging environmental challenges by investigating their effects on marine ecosystems and advance knowledge of microbial systems in order to help enable sustainable stewardship of the ocean.
FROM VISION TO REALITY
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uilding the scientific foundations needed to understand the ocean’s life-sustaining processes and their key relationships to the future of the planet The Laboratory’s strategic vision for the coming decade is to develop a world-leading institution for marine microbiology, ocean health, and ocean biogeochemistry and climate; advance world-class research in fundamental ocean sciences; build strong and sustainable technology transfer programs with the private sector; and significantly expand our education and public outreach initiatives. To these ends, the Laboratory will concentrate on these areas: DISCOVERY. Maintain an ethos of
scientific freedom and rigorous investigative research for individual scientists that is directly relevant to 21st century scientific questions PARTNERSHIPS. Enhance the vitality
of communication and collaboration between fundamental sciences and
technology transfer for industry, education, and public policy EDUCATION. Inspire, mentor, and
expand apprenticeships for the next generation of ocean scientists while engaging the public and informing policy makers SUSTAINABILITY. Build operational
strength through diversification of funding and new collaborative partnerships with the academic institutions, the private sector, and the philanthropic community WORLDWIDE REPUTATION. Contribute
to scientific excellence, define research directions that address critical priorities in ocean science, and recruit outstanding scientists in order to benefit society and the planet
1 BLOOM Program cruise 2010. Photo by Greg Bernard.
The 1995 BLOOM program was the spark that touched off the beginning of my environmental science career. —Travis Hussey, 1995 Bigelow Laboratory Order of Magnitude (BLOOM) Program alumnus
Building strength through academic partnerships At Bigelow Laboratory, EDUCATION IS CORE TO OUR ETHOS. We believe stronger academic partnerships are a key way to build a better Laboratory, a better Maine, and a better society.
help improve student participation rates in science technology, and engineering, which helps equip America’s youth for the future economy.
OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH COLBY COLLEGE gives
undergraduates the opportunity to conduct independent scientific inquiry with senior scientist mentors and use state-of-the-art methods and technologies.
The partnership is designed to help inspire and train the next generation of ocean scientists. Additional initiatives include: For Maine high school juniors, we offer (and fund) THE ANNUAL KELLER–BLOOM PROGRAM, an intensive five-day “hands-on” research experience. The program aims to inspire students with a love of science and an understanding of how the scientific process works. Since 2009, the Laboratory has been a National Science Foundation–sponsored institute in the RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES PROGRAM, offering eight student placements per year.
For neighbors and visitors of all ages, we offer an ACTIVE PROGRAM OF PUBLIC TALKS,
built on the international “Café Scientifique” model. We also provide free access to educational materials through online resources on our website. We also run TRAINING COURSES from academia and industry in advanced phytoplankton culturing techniques and other current research topics.
FOR ADULT PARTICIPANTS
In addition, individual BIGELOW STAFF MEMBERS HAVE ACADEMIC
at a variety of national and international universities.
ENGAGEMENTS
THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER The possibilities are breathtaking. Over the past decade, Bigelow Laboratory pioneered FlowCAM® cell sorting and image analysis and helped to launch Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc., of Yarmouth, Maine, a spin off company in which we retain a 20% equity stake. The company now sells FlowCAM® instrumentation worldwide to oceanographic and environmental institutions. With support from the National Science Foundation, the Bigelow facility that created the technology is now being developed into our Single Cell Genomic Center. The Center will serve as an engine of discovery in microbial ecology, evolution, and bioprospecting. Looking to the future, we see major opportunities for the development of economic, scientific, and social benefits: ~ S ingle cell genomics and flow cytometry technologies used as diagnostic tools in cancer medicine and human health ~ Ocean algae used as biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals (health-giving food additives), and cosmeceuticals (cosmetics with biologically active ingredients) ~ T he addition of marine viruses— a world’s first—to our Center for the Culture of Marine Phytoplankton collection, for use by researchers and industry around the globe
1 © C. & N. Sardet/CNRS/UPMC/ Villefranche-sur-Mer/Ibisa/Tara Oceans. 2 Red algae. Photo courtesy of NOAA.
A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
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igelow Laboratory offers multiple benefits to science and society窶馬ot the least of which are economic benefits.
Our fundamental research into ecosystem processes will increasingly be applied to new techniques and applications in a worldwide quest for sustainable economic development and profitable business innovation.
In Maine, the Laboratory is a major contributor to the regional economy and a key training ground for young scientists and technicians. In the years ahead, the combined direct and indirect benefits from Bigelow Laboratory will contribute 223 jobs and more than $17.5 million to the regional economy.
Find out how you can play a role in building a world-class ocean research center.
(
JENNIFER CUTSHALL
Director of Advancement Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences 207 553-9802 jcutshall@bigelow.org
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BIGELOW LABORATORY FOR OCEAN SCIENCES 180 MCKOWN POINT ROAD, PO BOX 475 WEST BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE 04575-0475 TEL: 207 633-9600 / FAX: 207 633-9641 BIGELOW.ORG
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