BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH ON CORAL REEF ORGANISMS OF GUAM

拟议的关岛大学海洋实验室的总目标 MBRS计划，关岛珊瑚礁生物医学研究，是为了 为教师和有才华的少数民族学生提供机会， 进行生物医学上重要的研究， 关岛和西部丰富多样的热带海洋环境 太平洋是如此 该提案包括三个研究项目， 定期的主要研究者，一个研究项目提交的一个 助理调查员，以及结构良好的丰富内容。 的 第一项建议将继续寻求更好地了解 在热带地区普遍存在的雪卡毒问题， 关岛 具体而言，本研究将研究 底栖甲藻Gambierdiscus toxicus，其微生境特异性， 季节性和人口动态。 第二个项目将涉及 病原菌的流行和分布的研究 沉积物和珊瑚礁栖息地。 第三个项目将研究 珊瑚的生殖生物学，重点是遗传机制。 最后，一个助理研究员项目将侧重于生物医学 珊瑚礁无脊椎动物的活性天然产物。 通过建议的活动，学生和教师的研究 环境将得到改善。 参与研究的教师和学生 活动将与美国大陆的科学家互动，他们将 有机会学习新的技术和发展， 参加校外会议和研究活动，以及 在校园研讨会，讲习班，并通过访问非正式讨论 科学家 在地理上孤立的关岛， 经验对学生做决定时特别有价值 关于研究生的职业。

The general objective of the proposed University of Guam Marine Laboratory MBRS program, Biomedical Research on Coral-Reef Organisms of Guam, is to provide opportunities for the faculty and talented minority students to conduct biomedically significant research utilizing the ecologically diverse and rich tropical marine environment of Guam and the western Pacific. The proposal includes three research projects submitted by regular principal investigators, a research project submitted by an associate investigator, and a well-structured enrichment component. The first proposal will continue the search for a better understanding of the ciguatera fish-poisoning problem that is prevalent in the tropics including Guam. Specifically, this research will examine the distribution of the benthic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus, its microhabitat specificity, seasonality, and population dynamics. The second project will involve studies of the prevalence and distribution of pathogenic bacteria in sediments and reef habitats around Guam. The third project will study reproductive biology of corals with an emphasis on genetic mechanisms. Finally, an associate investigator project will focus on biomedically active natural products in coral-reef invertebrates. Through the proposed activities, the student and faculty research environment will be enhanced. Faculty and students involved in research activities will interact with scientists in the mainland U.S. and they will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and developments by participating in off-campus conferences and research activities as well as on-campus seminars, workshops, and informal discussions by visiting scientists. In the geographically isolated location of Guam, such experiences are especially valuable to the students when making decisions on postgraduate careers.