This spring, BBSR marked an exciting milestone in its 102-year history as a marine science institution
with the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art laboratory facility. Construction began on the 14,000-square-foot Michael R. Naess Laboratory on June 25, 2003, during BBSR's centennial celebrations.
The new building has effectively doubled the previous size of BBSR's research and educational facilities, allowing for the expansion of current programs and providing the space to take advantage of new
research and teaching opportunities as they arise. The increased space and cutting-edge technology available in this facility, in conjunction with a new housing complex whose construction is nearing
completion, will also allow BBSR to form additional collaborations with other top research institutions and to attract leading scientists from around the world to join its faculty. "After 102 years in
Bermuda, this is a great step forward for marine science and education from our unique island base," said Dr. Tony Knap, President and Director of BBSR. "Bermuda has always been an ideal place to conduct
this kind of research, with its location in the middle of the deep ocean, its near-pristine inshore environments and its location between Europe and North America. "This new facility will help BBSR and
Bermuda to reach our full potential as leaders in the global marine science arena. The North Atlantic Ocean is increasingly regarded as a linchpin in the regulation of global climate, and BBSR's programs in
this region continue to reflect Bermuda as a key barometer of global climate change." The multimillion-dollar building now houses an expanded Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study, BBSR's largest oceanographic research program; new molecular
marine biology and microbiology/genomics laboratories; the
Oceanic Microbial Observatory; a cutting-edge flow cytometry facility; a coral reef ecotoxicology laboratory; and a facility for culturing
marine microorganisms in order to increase our understanding of ocean and human health issues. The Naess Laboratory will also house an advanced flow-through seawater system.The $7 million needed to
construct and outfit the building was donated by the corporations, foundations and individuals, both local and international, that supported BBSR's New Horizon Campaign
and Michael R. Naess Memorial Building Fund. This support included a $900,000 challenge grant awarded by the Michigan-based Kresge Foundation.In a ceremony on April 29, the new laboratory was dedicated in memory of
Michael R. Naess, BBSR's dynamic late chairman and long-time friend. Three months later, BBSR celebrated the official opening of the G. Hein Besselaar Genomics Floor in the building. The late Dr. Besselaar
was a major donor and a valued BBSR trustee for nearly 10 years. His wife, Toni, family members and friends shared the occasion with BBSR's faculty and trustees.
MICHAEL R. NAESS LABORATORY: Floor by Floor First Floor Flow-through Seawater System:
A state-of-the-art flow-through seawater system will allow ultimate flexibility in project design and implementation. It will provide scientists and students a well-controlled, high-quality seawater environment, whether their work involves simple holding tanks for marine specimens or more sophisticated experimental apparatus.
Culture Facility:
The culture facility is somewhat like a greenhouse used for growing microscopic marine organisms that will help to further our understanding of ocean processes and the links between ocean health and human health.
Ecotoxicology Laboratory:
Marine ecotoxicology is the study of the toxicological effects of contaminants on the organisms in the ocean. As many of the toxic stresses to marine environments come from long-term exposure to low concentrations of polluting chemicals, scientists are finding ways to detect early warning signs that the health of an ecosystem's inhabitants has been compromised. This allows the opportunity to remove the source of the pollutant before the damage is irreparable.
Second Floor
Molecular Marine Biology and Genomics Laboratories:
Millions of microorganisms live in the deep ocean, the world's largest ecosystem. Incredible breakthroughs in the technology and techniques of genomics, molecular biology and microbiology are now enabling scientists to investigate the metabolic and genetic makeup of these remarkably diverse species.
Oceanic Microbial Observatory:
Microorganisms in the ocean's surface layer play an integral role in the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and the ocean. This collaborative program aims to understand the cell biology and biogeochemical activities of bacterioplankton in the Sargasso Sea, using powerful microscopes and cutting-edge molecular techniques.
Flow Cytometry Facility:
This facility centers on an advanced flow cytometer that can not only collect information about organisms through the use of laser beams, but can also separate cells of a chosen type into individual containers for further experimentation. Few other oceanographic institutions have flow cytometers with these capabilities.
Third Floor
Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) and Hydrostation 'S':
BATS was established in 1988 as part of a worldwide oceanographic initiative to better understand the ocean's biological, chemical and physical processes, and its role in regulating the global climate. Through the analysis of BATS data, scientists have been able to completely revise their perspective on the way the ocean works and how it changes over time. BATS is the sister program of Hydrostation "S". This time series, established in 1954, is now considered to be the longest continuous, year-round examination of any one point in the open ocean and has greatly advanced our understanding of global climate change.
Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory:
Scientists are investigating the levels of elements, such as trace metals, in the ocean and the role they play in regulating the growth of phytoplankton, which form the foundation of the marine ecosystem and play a significant role in the carbon cycle. Current investigations are focusing on variation in the levels of iron in the ocean.
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