Current Projects
Marine Algae Project 100 (MAP 100)
The Marine Genome Project team is dedicated to preserving the genetic diversity of our oceans for future generations. The MAP 100 (Marine Algae Project) will collect and safeguard the genetic information of 100 marine algae species along the coast of California.
Marine algae, such as kelp and seagrass, play a vital role in the health and preservation of local marine ecosystems. They also capture carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and release oxygen into our environment which is essential for life on earth. Marine algae are the primary source of nutrients for many marine species such as invertebrates and small fish. They are also used for advancements in medicine and molecular biology. The critical roles marine algae play in the survival of our ocean ecosystems cannot be understated and are ultimately tied to our own survival.
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The MAP 100 project will focus on 100 important algae species in California. We intend to publish the results of our work as we build a map from the species we collect and process.
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One of the tools our team will use is DNA sequencing. This allows us to understand the ecology and distribution of species along the California Coast.
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We believe this information will be useful to other scientific and conservation efforts seeking to protect keystone marine species.
Our scientific team can handle nearly any conditions the ocean can throw at them.
Ps.. We promise if you get scuba certified and dive in California it doesn’t always look like the video below
