Exploring a deep sea of knowledge: research at the Center for Marine Science could lead to innovations that advance drug development and feed the world.

• Position: UNC Wilmington - University of North Carolina

Before humans embark on missions to discover whether life ever existed on Mars, we should consider the abundant life undiscovered in the Earth's oceans. So says Daniel Baden, director of the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The extent of marine biodiversity is staggering--32 of the 34 animal phyla live in oceans. The case for marine research is even more compelling when you consider that only 2% of oceanic life has been investigated. "The great unknown is not in outer space," Baden says. "It's right here in the oceans."

UNC Wilmington's Center for Marine Science is the state's most prominent marine-science facility. Research in the Myrtle Grove-based center cuts across multiple disciplines, including marine biology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography and ocean geology. Increasingly, research there is leading to innovations that could save lives, advance pharmaceutical discovery and feed the world. Recent center research has discovered techniques for detecting harmful bacteria that could be used in clinical labs or in the food industry. It's also discovered organic chemicals that serve as antidotes for toxins in shellfish.

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Growing renown for UNCW's marine research led to a partnership in 2002 between the university and Wilmington-based aaiPharma Inc. The drug company--with its expertise in the drug-testing and -approval process--can bring UNCW's scientific discoveries to the marketplace.

The agreement's potential came to light with the discovery of a series of molecules found in red tides. A common oceanic event, red tides are caused by plantlike cells that bloom on a massive scale, leaving behind a trail of chemical toxins. UNCW scientists are researching the microscopic components within these blooms, molecules that can mitigate some symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis. And since red-tide algae can be cultured in a laboratory, source material can be in ready supply.

The oceans cover 70% of the Earth's landmass. Into this vast expanse, the search continues for scientific discoveries with broad marketplace applications.

Under the sea, it's the sponges vs. the coral, and the sponges seem to have the upper hand. Not many people keep up with territorial battles among invertebrate organisms, but Joseph Pawlik, a UNCW professor of marine biology, has made such study his life's work. He and other scientists ply the coral reefs around the Bahamas on research boats...