As part of the Foundation's Biotechnology Initiative, the Division of Ocean Sciences has been advocating an initiative in marine biotechnology. The conceptual framework and tools of contemporary molecular and cellular biology have led to great advances in modern life sciences from biomedical and developmental biology to taxonomy and evolutionary biology. These concepts and technologies will yield significant advances in environmental sciences (biological oceanography and ecology), but the transfer of technology/training is only slowly proceeding. As part of the development of marine biotechnology, the Division seeks advice from both the ocean science community and from leading innovators in environmentally relevant molecular/cellular biosciences on how best to accomplish the transfer of meaningful and effective technologies to the pursuit of questions in ocean ecology. This workshop will gather representatives from industry, academia, and government agencies to address this transfer of knowledge and the need for enhanced support of marine biotechnology.
