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MMS’s Biotechnology Initiative

MMS’s Biotechnology Initiative The Gulf of Mexico OCS off Louisiana by Ken Turgeon Chief Scientist The Pacific OCS off southern California OCS Policy Committee meeting October 25, 2000 Genesis of MMS Biotechnology Research National Ocean Conference, June 11-12, 1998

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MMS’s Biotechnology Initiative

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  1. MMS’s Biotechnology Initiative The Gulf of Mexico OCS off Louisiana by Ken Turgeon Chief Scientist The Pacific OCS off southern California OCS Policy Committee meeting October 25, 2000

  2. Genesis of MMS Biotechnology Research • National Ocean Conference, June 11-12, 1998 • Biotechnology is a major discussion topic • Turning to the Sea: America’s Ocean Future • Sept. 1999 Cabinet report to the President recommends biotechnology research and sustainable bioharvesting • Ocean Task Force -- created by Pres. Clinton • Adopts biotechnology as 1 of 11 key action items • MMS develops biotech. res. proj. for OTF consideration • OTF approves MMS plan -- sees it as cornerstone effort • MMS projects cited in the OTF’s report to the President MMS

  3. Synopsis of MMS research effort • Determine taxonomic and genetic diversity found on offshore oil and gas platforms • Determine if selected organisms on platforms have compounds of potential application to pharmaceutical and other commercial uses • Rationale: platforms might serve as sites for harvesting marine bioproducts thus mitigating need to disturb natural ecosystems • Conduct research through LSU & UCSB CMIs • Each project is ~ $1 million total over 2 years; co-funded equally by MMS and the States MMS

  4. CMI Biotechnology Research Teams LSU UCSB Dr. Larry Rouse 1 Dr. Russ Schmitt 1 Dr. Laurie Anderson Dr. Jennifer Dugan Dr. Russ Chapman Dr. Scott Hodges Dr. Dave Foltz Dr. Bob Jacobs Dr. Mike Hellberg Dr. Henry Page Dr. Fred Rainey Dr. Les Wilson Dr. Barun Sen Gupta Dr. Steve Gaines Dr. Suzanne Fredericq 2 1 CMI Director and Research Team Leader 2 University of Louisiana at Lafayette MMS

  5. MMS Biotechnology Projects Kick-off • Signing ceremonies took place at LSU and UCSB on September 27, 2000 • DOI officials attending UCSB signing: -- David Hayes, Deputy Secretary -- Bill Brown, Science Advisor to the Secretary -- Tom Kitsos, MMS Deputy Director -- Lisle Reed, MMS Pacific Regional Director • DOI officials attending LSU signing -- Roger McManus, Ocean Advisor to the Secretary -- Walt Rosenbusch, MMS Director -- Chris Oynes, MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional Director -- Ken Turgeon, Chief Scientist MMS

  6. Some Marine Bioproducts of Interest • Coumarins -- combat tumor growth & promote wound healing -- over 1,300 types found in terrestial organisms; very few found to date in marine organisms • Eicosanoids -- produced by unicell protists and chlorophytes -- anti-inflammatories • Bryostatin -- produced by symbiotic bacteria in bryozoans -- combats growth of cultured cancer cells -- cannot be synthesized yet (cost > $2,300/mg) MMS

  7. Some Marine Bioproducts of Interest • Bacterial compounds -- many potential pharmaceutical applications, especially in area of antibiotics & enzymes • Bio-adhesives -- found in attached & agglutinated organisms -- foraminifera & mollusks will be investigated MMS

  8. Divers examine “biofouling” on understructure of a platform off southern California MMS

  9. Bryozoan encrustation on a Gulf of Mexico platform MMS

  10. Close-up views of bryozoans growing on legs of oil and gas platforms MMS

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