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PRESS RELEASE: December 01, 2003
FAU and the Perry Institute for Marine Science to Collaborate on Biomedical Research Endeavors
BOCA RATON, FL - Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the Perry Institute for Marine Science have
forged a partnership that could promote biomedical research efforts as well as foster an understanding of
the importance of marine conservation among school children.
As a first step toward such collaborative research endeavors, a team from FAU recently visited the Perry Institute's
Caribbean Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island in the Bahamas to determine if nearby habitats would be suitable
for the collection of marine organisms that could be used to fight cancer.
"We found this location to be an excellent source of the kind of organisms we are working with, such as cone snails
and corals," said Dr. Russell Kerr, FAU professor of chemistry and biochemistry. "We're excited about the possibility
of finding potential marine sources for cancer-fighting drugs." The research being done by Kerr and his graduate
students is one part of FAU's new $10 million Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, recently
funded by the State of Florida in support of its work to find medicines from the sea.
"We also evaluated the Lee Stocking Island location as a possible site for scientific literacy outreach," said Kerr,
who sees the possibility of developing workshops on the island to educate K-12 teachers about the field of marine
pharmaceuticals.
"This will enable teachers to go back to their classrooms with information about the importance of protecting our
marine environment and how the ocean may provide scientists with new drug sources," he said.
Joining Kerr were FAU faculty members Dr. Frank Mari from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Anton Olenik
from the Department of Geography and Geology, Dr. Nancy Romance from Education, and Dr. Mike Salmon from the Department
of Biology. Four graduate students -- Jennifer Boehnlein, Llanie Ranzer, Mike Cairelli and Josiah Strauss - also took
part in the four-day trip.
"We are looking forward to working with FAU's faculty and students in their underwater biomedical research efforts,"
said Dr. John Marr, executive director of the Perry Institute for Marine Science. "We believe that by working together
we can make significant progress in finding cures from the sea and in advancing understanding of the need for marine
conservation."
Lee Stocking Island is one of the many Exuma Cays that form the boundary between the shallow Great Bahama Bank and the
deep Exuma Sound. The island is site of the main research facility of the Caribbean Marine Research Center, designated
as one of six National Undersea Research Centers under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Caribbean Marine Research Center is charged with the responsibility for support of undersea research throughout the
entire Caribbean region, supported by some of the world's most sophisticated undersea technology. Among the facilities
are 28 buildings including laboratories, acquaculture hatchery and production facilities and power stations; a boat yard,
a large dock, eight boats, a two-man wet submersible and decompression chamber. The island's geographic location affords
scientists a unique opportunity to study a varied collection of tropical habitats, including shallow and deep coral reefs,
mud flats, grassbeds, caves, tidal channels and deep-sea habitats.
For more information on this joint research, contact Debra Kain at Florida Atlantic University or Marsha Mimnaugh of
Perry Institute at 561 741-0192, ext 117, for information on the Perry Institute for Marine Science and Lee Stocking
Island facilities.
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