Probing the Marine Environment

Objectives
-probing the marine environment
-understanding the importance of other marine organisms in biotechnology
-discovering other applications of marine biotechnology

Trivia:
Seaweeds are not only used in food but when used in biotechnology they have the
capacity to detoxify serious organic pollutants.
Vocabulary:
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) a method for selectively amplifying regions of
DNA by in vitro replication involving repeated denaturation and renaturation of the
DNA template.
Fluorescent DNA probes probes labeled by fluorescent tags rather than
radioisotopes; detection is by fluorescence
Bivalves a member of a class of burrowing or sessile mollusks that includes
oysters, clams and mussels.
Gastropods a member of phylum Mollusca; characteristics include a soft body that
is supported by a flat, muscular foot and protected by a cap-shaped shell; examples
are snails, abalones and sea slugs.
Extremophiles organisms usually found in the most inhospitable environments.
These organisms snuggle up to scalding hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean.
They cling to ice in Antarctica. They burrow in the high deserts of Chile and wallow
in salty lake beds of East Africa.

Pre-Test: Probing the Marine Environment

A. True or False. Draw

if true and

if false.

1. Modern biotechnology methods have made useless contributions in many

areas of marine research.
2. Biotechnology methods are increasing our understanding of the scarcity,
distribution and rates of growth of various marine organisms.
3.

Because of Marine Biotechnology, the country of origin of important fish

stock populations can be established.

4. DNA probes or PCR can identify currently unknown intermediate life stages of
important marine organisms.
5. Many of the pathogens released into the marine environment will remain
unidentified because of marine biotechnology.
Contributions of marine biotechnology in the improvement of the
B. Enumeration.marine environment
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Probing the Marine Environment

The worlds oceans comprise the biggest part of the biosphere and contain the most ancient and
diverse forms of life. Only with the tools of modern science can these biological resources be studied in
detail and thereafter be applied for human benefit and fundamental scientific progress. Modern
molecular biology tools are available for learning about the basic processes by which marine
organisms adapt to their environments, which are often extreme in nature and which may prove
useful in industrial and medical processes.

The study of the interaction of marine organisms with each other and with
their environment is an interesting area of marine biology. Modern biotechnology
methods have made important GENERAL contributions in many areas of marine
research:

Rapid identification and quantification of new species and populations of

microscopic marine organisms
Tracking of commercially important organisms
Development of diagnostics to detect contaminants, pollutants and
pathogens in seafood and the environment
Use of marine organisms in biomedical research

The marine environment harbors a wealth of new organisms. Biotechnology

methods are increasing our understanding of the abundance, distribution and rates
of growth of various marine organisms. These are SPECIFIC examples of the
important contributions of marine research:
For the identification and quantification of new species:
Specific DNA probes and the polymerase chain reaction allow different
organisms to be detected and identified in marine environments without their
having to be isolated and cultured.
Molecular techniques can determine the level of genetic variation in
organisms. Genetic diversity in a group of organisms is an indicator of a
healthy population and one that is more likely than an inbred one to tolerate
environmental fluctuations and resist disease.
DNA probes or PCR can identify currently unknown intermediate life stages of
important marine organisms. Once these intermediates are indentified for
study, researchers may be able to isolate and characterize the chemical
signals that induce settling and metamorphosis. Often research findings can
be applies to the culture and propagation of economically important
crustaceans, bivalves and gastropods.

Microplankton has been shown to be the base of the food chain that supports
most of the other marine animal species in the oceans. They can be identified
by fluorescent DNA probes.
Microbial primary producers are being identified and quantified by PCR and
flow cytometry.
For tracking of commercially important organisms;
Larval invertebrates and microbes, which are often difficult to isolate, can
readily be tracked in the environment.
The country of origin of important fish stock populations can be established
as well.
For the development of diagnostics to detect contaminants and pollutants in the
environment and seafood and also for biomedical researches:

Ecological processes as critical as primary production in the oceans can be

studied more easily with the help of biotechnology.
In polluted areas, the numbers and types of microbes that cause disease can
be readily identified.
Examples.
Hepatitis A and E and cholera affect large numbers of people exposed to
polluted water through swimming, washing or harvesting food.
- Mussels, oysters and clams often consumed by humans, reside in offshore
areas where ocean dumping occurs and can harbor pathogens.
Many of the pathogens released into the marine environment remain
unidentified. Diagnostic kits using DNA probes and monoclonal antibodies will
help researchers track pathogens along polluted and contaminated shores
and enable health officials to determine what areas should be closed to the
public.
These detection kits will also be invaluable for the detecting of pathogens
and toxins in commercial seafood

For the use of marine organisms in biomedical researches:

Marine toxicology/ endocrine disrupters -Human and veterinary drugs,

including antibiotics, natural and synthetic hormones, detergents,
plasticizers, insecticides and fire retardants
are found in US streams
Microbial and Extremophile Processes - DNA repair and replication,
Symbiosis/signaling, Pathogenesis, Nitrogen metabolism, Microbial/fish
interactions, Microbial biofiltration, Virus/host interactions, Gene Regulation
Example

Seaweeds - marine seaweeds have a capacity to detoxify serious organic

pollutants such as TNT or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and may be able
to play an important role in protecting the ecological health of marine life.
Marine Natural Products - Microbial-sponge co-culture , marine nutriceuticals,
enzymes from marine organisms, including hyperthermophilic Archaea and
Lectins

M
Enrichment

Identify or find 4 important Ms that can be found on the lesson. It may be a

microbe, a pathogen, a technique, etc.

Enumerate the GENERAL contributions of Marine Biotechnology according to the

lesson. HINT: The initial letters of each statements are given.

DU-

RT
Post Test
A. Identification. Hint: Refer to the vocabulary also.
1. A method for selectively amplifying regions of DNA by in vitro replication
involving repeated denaturation and renaturation of the DNA template.
Complete name.
2. Probes labeled by fluorescent tags rather than radioisotopes; detection
is by fluorescence
3. A member of a class of burrowing or sessile mollusks that includes
oysters, clams and mussels.
4. A member of phylum Mollusca; characteristics include a soft body that is
supported by a flat, muscular foot and protected by a cap-shaped shell;
examples are snails, abalones and sea slugs.
5. Other than PCR, it allows different organisms to be detected and
identified in marine environments.
Specific contributions of marine biotechnology in the
B. Enumeration.improvement of the marine environment
6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Summary
Marine biotechnology has continued to develop in recent years as a field of application of modern
science and engineering of critical importance to the understanding, protection and exploitation of the
resources of the sea. It is recognized that the seas resources remain largely unexplored and marine
organisms represent a vast untapped resource with potential benefits in many different areas of life,
including medicine, aquiculture and fisheries, industry, research tools and environmental applications;
including new techniques to restore, protect and manage marine ecosystems. Marine organisms are also
potential sources of discovery of new types of composite materials, biopolymers and enzymes for
industry, biosensors, delivery systems and other economically valuable compounds.

The combined expertise of many fields from molecular biology to chemical and physical
oceanography contribute to the development of the knowledge platform upon which marine biotechnology
applications render goods and services for public benefit. The ever-expanding commercial biotechnology
industry constantly seeks novel or improved sources of products. This industry now possesses the
necessary infrastructure and expertise for large-scale bioprospecting to identify and collect a variety of
marine organisms or genes of potential use. Bioscreening then selects out those with the most desirable
characteristics. Sources include microorganisms, plant or animals, which may be harvested or cultured.

Through marine biotechnology, we are able to probe the marine environment further about
the uses of each microbe or organism and to apply it in the problems occurring in the marine life habitat.
The contribution of the marine biotechnology is big in a sense that we are able to identify specific
organisms through it and to counterattack or use as an advantage the capabilities of each organism and
apply it.

References:
Barnum, Susan R. Biotechnology An Introduction. Belmont, CA: Thomson
Brooks/Cole, 2005
Electron. J. Biotechnol. v.4 n.2 Valparaso ago. 2001
<http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S071734582001000200003&script=sci_arttext>

Pre-Test: Probing the Marine Environment (Answer Key)

A. True or False. Draw

if true and

if false.

6. Modern biotechnology methods have made useless contributions in many

areas of marine research.
7. Biotechnology methods are increasing our understanding of the scarcity,
distribution and rates of growth of various marine organisms.
8.

Because of Marine Biotechnology, the country of origin of important fish

stock populations can be established.

9. DNA probes or PCR can identify currently unknown intermediate life stages of
important marine organisms.
10.Many of the pathogens released into the marine environment will remain
unidentified because of marine biotechnology.

B. Enumeration.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

Contributions of marine biotechnology in the

improvement of the marine environment

Possible Answers:
Rapid identification and quantification of new species and population of
microscopic marine organisms.

Tracking of commercially important organisms

Bioremediation of marine niches
Development of diagnostics to detect contaminants, pollutants and
pathogens in seafood and the environment.
Increases our understanding of the abundance, distribution and rates of
growth or various marine organisms

Enrichment (ANSWER KEY)

Identify or find 4 important Ms that can be found on the lesson. It may be a
microbe, a pathogen, a technique, etc.

M ic
ro p l
a n k
to n

M o le
c u la r
Te c h n
iq u e s

M ic r o b i
a l
M
P r im a r y
P ro d u c
e rs

M a r in
e
B io t e
c h n o l
o g y

Enumerate the general contributions of Marine Biotechnology according to the

lesson.

D-

Development of diagnostics to detect contaminants, pollutants and

pathogens in seafood and the environment

U-

Use of marine organisms in biomedical research

R-

Rapid identification and quantification of new species and populations of

microscopic marine organisms

Tracking of commercially important organisms

Post Test (ANSWER KEY)

A. Identification. Hint: Refer to the vocabulary also.
1. A method for selectively amplifying regions of DNA by in vitro replication
involving repeated denaturation and renaturation of the DNA template.
Complete name. (Polymerase Chain Reaction )
2. Probes labeled by fluorescent tags rather than radioisotopes; detection
is by fluorescence (Fluorescent DNA Probes)
3. A member of a class of burrowing or sessile mollusks that includes
oysters, clams and mussels. (Bivalves)
4. A member of phylum Mollusca; characteristics include a soft body that is
supported by a flat, muscular foot and protected by a cap-shaped shell;
examples are snails, abalones and sea slugs.(Gastropods)
5. Other than PCR, it allows different organisms to be detected and
identified in marine environments. (Specific DNA Probes)
Specific contributions of marine biotechnology in the
B. Enumeration.improvement of the marine environment
11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Answers can be found on the lessons discussed. All

possible answers are on the asterisk-marked
concepts. Check back to the lesson.