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Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: Research Equipment Attracts Dollars and Talent

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is one of Maine's gems. Internationally recognized by the research community,  this non-profit research institution studies oceans, coastal seas, and estuaries to discover the medical, commercial, and other benefits of marine microorganisms. There is a whole range of known benefits from these microorganisms, including fatty acids that can be converted to biofuels and compounds to be used in grain development. "At this point we know less than 2% of the chemical formation," says Graham Shimmield, Executive Director, Bigelow Laboratory. There is a vast area of research to discover the opportunities for commercial development.  $4.5 million from MTAF will enable the laboratory to accelerate the commercialization of its research.

The laboratory has leased cramped quarters since its inception in 1974, and bold thinking by the board of trustees encouraged Bigelow to pursue funding to build a new, permanent home to support its research efforts and to drive its commitment to technology transfer. In addition to receiving $4.5 million from MTAF, the laboratory has secured $4.975 million from National Science Foundation, and a $9.1 million grant from National Institute of Standards and Technology to build the new 7,000-square-foot facility in East Boothbay. The Laboratory is primarily funded by competitive federal research grants, attracting $100 million during its history. Through the MTAF award of $4.45M, the Laboratory is developing a new Ocean Science Campus at East Boothbay. The award has leveraged two additional major federal grants totaling $14.12M. Once construction is completed, the Laboratory will increase its employment by over 50% to 100+. The laboratory has leased cramped quarters since its inception in 1974, and bold thinking by the board of trustees encouraged Bigelow to pursue funding to build a new, permanent home to support its research efforts and to drive its commitment to technology transfer. In addition to receiving $4.5 million from MTAF, the laboratory has secured $4.975 million from National Science Foundation, and a $9.1 million grant from National Institute of Standards and Technology to build the new 7,000-square-foot facility in East Boothbay.

The Campus will be made up of three centers:

Bigelow Center for Blue Biotechnology -  Research in the BCBB applies molecular biology and microbial ecology to the viruses, bacteria, and algae living throughout the world’s oceans in order to understand their evolution, genetic and chemical make-up, and their culture and industrial application. The BCBB will house the world’s first microbial single cell genomics facility, a state-of-the-art flow cytometry laboratory, a bioreactor facility, and the national Center for Culture of Marine Phytoplankton and will increase the Lab’s capacity to partner with industry.

Center for Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change -  Research conducted here will address questions of ocean biogeochemistry and climate change at many scales, from local to global, and from individual cells to entire ocean basins.

Center for Ocean Health - This center will study a critical component of ocean ecosystems, namely the contribution of microbial communities and marine viruses to ecology and food supply for fisheries, as well as their role in the harmful algal blooms and marine pathogens that impact ocean health and productivity.

The Ocean Science Campus is projected to generate $28.1M of economic impact activity to Maine by 2015. 85% of these funds will be spent in Maine, primarily in rural Lincoln County.  In addition to staff scientists, a portfolio of medium and high wage jobs will be brought to this rural region of the state.

 

 

 

 

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

180 McKown Point
P.O. Box 475
West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575-0475

Phone: (207) 633-9600

Fax: (207) 633-9641

www.bigelow.org 

 


 

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