R. Colwell


 Experiments are now being done on cloning the tyrosinase gene(s), in
order to develop a biotechnological source of L-DOPA for use in oyster
hatcheries. A genomic library for the oyster has been established, with the
intent of cloning the oyster growth hormone, for the same reasons that the
salmon and trout growth hormone genes have been cloned, namely to
speed growth and obtain larger size of the animals.
 Seaweeds offer an interesting challenge because seaweed culture re-
mains relatively unsophisticated, i.e., seaweeds are harvested from the sea
or in culture using mechanical rigs. The seaweeds, once harvested, are
washed, extracted chemically, and purified. Many commercially impor-
tant chemicals are obtained from seaweeds, especially gelling agents, i.e.,
marine colloids, including agar and carrageenan. The marine colloids rep-
resent a multi-million dollar a year product for the food industry. Thus, a
reliable source of agar and carrageenan, totally controlled in production,
would be of significant commercial value.
 Protoplasts of seaweeds have been produced and protoplast fusion has
been accomplished. By this technique, seaweed hybrids have been formed
with the intent to achieve fast-growing, abundant colloid-producing
strains. In the long run, the molecular genetics of seaweeds must be estab-
lished, but it has only just begun, in the United States, Japan, and China.
The prospects are excellent for a biotechnologically developed, commer-
cial source of marine colloids in the future.
 Marine pharmacology is another fascinating application of marine bio-
technology. However, a molecular genetic understanding of marine biolog-
ical systems, including the chemical mechanisms of territorial circumscrip-
tion and biochemical ecology is needed. For example, the structure and
function of marine toxins are now being detailed.
 Systematic studies of marine organisms have revealed potential anti-
cancer agents as early as the mid-1960s by Petit and others. Screening for
anti-cancer compounds produced by marine organisms is underway at a
number of universities, including the University of Oklahoma, University
of Miami, University of Illinois, and more recently, the University of
Maryland. Several tumor inhibitory compounds have been described in
the literature over the years, with the most active anti-tumor compounds
from marine organisms reported since 1981. Rinehart and his co-workers
have discovered some interesting compounds, some of which are being
considered for clinical trial by the National Cancer Institute.
 Tumor inhibitory cyclic peptides have been isolated by several investiga-
tors during the past two decades. A list of such compounds can be obtained
from the references cited below.
 Japanese workers have focused on marine bacteria as a source of new