|
The marine
environment and in particular the organisms that
inhabit this vast habitat still remain poorly
studied despite the importance of this resource.
However, only the genomes of a few marine organisms,
mainly microrganisms and a vertebrate (Fugu
rubripes), have been sequenced so far.
At present in CCMAR
genomics is being used to study issues related to
biodiversity, stock assessment, ecology and
aquaculture and CIMAR aims to extend genomics to
ecotoxicology. In addition to the various projects
using genomics approaches indicated above in the
area of aquaculture, investigation into comparative
genomics and gene mapping has been initiated and
strong links have been created with European
Platforms in the context of Marine Genomics Europe.
CIMAR is involved as
a partner in genome mapping of sea bass and seabream
as well as the sea bass BAC/genome sequencing
consortium led by the Max Plank Institute of
Molecular Genetics (Berlin, Germany). The Marine
Sciences are a priority for Portugal and inclusion
of Marine Genomics is key to new scientific
developments and even economic benefits. We have
initiated steps towards integrating various genomics
efforts in Portugal leading to the creation of a
network and to try pool resources in a Marine
Genomics Interface (MGI) for the benefit of the
existing community.
We intend to develop
a common infrastructure which would function as a
Marine Resource Centre and would preferably be sited
at CCMAR. It would include in the first phase of its
development, generation of Marine genomic resources
such as low cost sequencing, generation of gridded
libraries, gene isolation and small scale proteomics
facilities. This would be complemented by
development of database services and bioinformatics.
|
.gif){kind=small}