Resources for Scientists and Researchers

Research Themes

The NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center at the University of Miami is based at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences campus. The Center is a collaborative effort of 19 Investigators from three UM campuses and 6 external organizations.

Two principal research themes form the basis for interdisciplinary Research Cores: "Marine and Freshwater Toxins and Human Health" and "Marine and Freshwater Animal Models and Human Health". The overall mission of the NIEHS Center is to evaluate the impact of the oceans and freshwater bodies on human health, by assessing and understanding risks, and by seeking remedies.

The first research core includes Toxin Biosynthesis and Probe Development, Metabolism, Molecular Pharmacology, Molecular Modeling, Electrophysiology, Receptor Binding, Separation Techniques and Assay Methods, and Epidemiology and Public Health. The second research core includes several marine and freshwater (and human) models in various stages of development: Damselfish Neurofibromatosis, Cultured Human Schwann Cells, Aplysia Neurophysiology, Toadfish Hyperammonemia, Transgenic Fishes, Squirrelfish Zinc Metabolism/Transport, Fish Immunology and Sentinel Species.

In support of existing individual and collaborative programs, there are 4 Facilities and Service Cores: Toxin Probes, supplying brevetoxins, saxitoxin, okadaic acid, domoic acid, ciguatoxins and application-related toxin derivatives, as well as cultures of toxic organisms, and DNA-based materials from these organisms; In Vitro and In Vivo Fish Culture, supplying facilities and expertise for the maintenance of, and experimentation with, fish and invertebrate cell cultures and live organisms; Toxicogenomics which provides modern DNA sequencing capabilities and means to develop DNA microarrays for aquatic species; Neurophysiology, which provides two separate fully-equipped electrophysiology rigs, as well as additional tissue culture support capability.

There is a Community Outreach and Education Program, including the Marine and Freshwater poison-control Hotline (888-232-8635), an NIEHS-sponsored K-12 education program, and an NIEHS-sponsored Postdoctoral Training Program.