The Mission of the Center for Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research (CMBBR) is to harness the power of marine biotechnology to improve the human condition through the discovery of better drugs, alternative fuels and industrial chemicals.
Since the mid-1980's CMBBR scientists have conducted expeditions using the research vessel Seward Johnson and the sophisticated research submersible Johnson-Sea Link to collect marine invertebrates, microorganisms, and algae. CMBBR maintains a collection of approximately 32,000 invertebrate samples and 17,000 marine microorganisms. CMBBR scientists obtain novel compounds from these organisms to be used in their drug discovery program. Microorganisms are also studied for their potential biotechnological uses through the development of production methods for alternative fuels and industrial chemicals from renewable resources.
CMBBR consists of a natural products chemistry group, a cell biology group and a microbiology group that work together to elucidate the potential benefit for humankind of these compounds. CMBBR is at the forefront in the discovery of biologically active natural products from deep-sea marine organisms. To date, the group has found over 250 compounds exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer or anti-microbial effects.
CMBBR obtains grant support from NOAA, NIH and private sources, which allows one or two research expeditions each year. Follow-up research is directed by the source of funding. If you wish to support this research, your tax-deductible contributions will support work at sea collecting new and promising marine species, laboratory screening and testing chemical compounds for medicinal purposes, and developing novel bio-fuels.
