Marine Biology Research Solutions

What is marine biology?

Marine biology is the scientific discipline that explores the myriad of life forms inhabiting the sea, as well as airborne and terrestrial organisms that are directly dependent on saltwater bodies for food. At its broadest, marine biology endeavors to describe all vital phenomena associated with the countless living entities populating the vast oceans of our planet. This field comprises various specialized branches, including natural history, taxonomy, embryology, morphology, physiology, ecology, and geographical distribution. It shares a strong connection with oceanography, given the significant influence of the oceans' physical features on the organisms residing within them. It also contributes to marine geology through the study of organisms whose skeletal remains accumulate on ocean floors or who construct extensive coral reefs in tropical seas.

Attune CytPix flow cytometer in marine biology research


What is oceanography?

One of the primary goals of marine biology is to understand how oceanic phenomena influence the distribution of marine organisms. Researchers in this field examine how specific organisms adapt to the diverse chemical and physical properties of seawater, oceanic movements and currents, light availability at various depths, and the seafloor's solid surfaces. Special emphasis is placed on elucidating the dynamics of marine ecosystems, particularly food chains and predator-prey interactions. The distribution of fish and crustacean populations, critical for fisheries, is a significant area of marine biological research. Additionally, marine biology investigates how different forms of pollution, such as pesticide and fertilizer runoff, oil spills, and coastal construction silting, impact marine life.

The earliest research focus was primarily on the collection, description, and cataloging of marine organisms, leading to the development of methods for capturing and preserving specimens for study. Marine biologists adapted traditional dredges and trawls for collecting ocean floor specimens and used hoop nets for free-swimming animals. New instruments were created to collect water samples and measure temperature at various depths.

Later the focus was the systematic analysis of ecosystems of marine life with application leading oceanographers to studying economically important fishing grounds and localities. Their research integrated studies of marine flora and fauna, ocean currents, water temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels to understand the relationship between marine animals and their environment.


Research in marine ecosystems

Advancements such as underwater cameras, improved diving equipment, and submersible craft have enabled direct observation of marine organisms in their natural habitats. Underwater video enables continuous visual monitoring of submerged areas, while self-contained diving equipment allows researchers to inspect marine life up close.

Morphological and taxonomic studies are typically conducted on preserved specimens in museums and universities, while physiological and embryological research requiring live material is usually carried out at coastal biological stations. These stations facilitate rapid specimen transfer to laboratories equipped with special seawater circulation systems.

 

Research products and services that Thermo Fisher Scientific has to support these studies include:

Reverse transcription and PCR

Choose from a variety of reverse transcriptase stand-alone enzymes, master mixes, cDNA synthesis kits, primers, and dNTP solutions to suit your application. Invitrogen SuperScript IV products aid in exceptional cDNA synthesis from any type of template RNA. To help you achieve PCR success, we offer products such as trusted Applied Biosystems thermal cyclers, industry-leading Invitrogen Platinum enzymes, and reliable Applied Biosystems PCR plastics.

Nucleic acid isolation

DNA extraction is a fundamental technique used in molecular biology to isolate DNA from various biological samples. The process involves separating DNA from other cellular components to obtain pure DNA for further analysis or experimentation. Several methods are available for DNA extraction based on your use case or research requirements, with the most common technique being the phenol-chloroform extraction method and the most automatable technique being paramagnetic bead-based extraction. Both RNA extraction and protein purification follow the same basic principles.

Nucleic acid analysis

Although fluorometry is more sensitive and selective for quantifying nucleic acids, the UV absorbance method can provide accurate results for many applications without additional reagents. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry is also excellent at detecting impurities in a sample, and many labs use both of these technologies for different purposes.

Cell culture

From cell culture media and supplements to antibiotics, dissociation reagents, and plastics, we offer a comprehensive range of solutions for your cell culture needs—all in one place. Our validated Gibco™ and Nunc™ products work seamlessly together, ensuring reliable performance for culturing both primary cells and cell lines with confidence.

Flow cytometry

Improving data resolution in flow cytometry unlocks deeper insights into cell biology, enables accurate rare cell identification, and helps advance scientific discoveries. Our flow cytometry solutions, including the Attune family of flow cytometers, the Bigfoot cell sorter, and Invitrogen flow antibodies and reagents, help enable precision, accuracy, and data resolution.

Cell imaging

Our trusted imaging antibodies, reagents, cell health/functional stains, antifades, mountants buffers, instruments, software, and EVOS microscopes can enable your immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry experiments.


Peer-reviewed publications

Because we value the research that marine biologists conduct, we have gathered a sample of recent articles in peer-reviewed publications citing Thermo Fisher Scientific product brands, including Invitrogen, Applied Biosystems, Thermo Scientific and Gibco premier branded solutions for your reference.

 

Hatcheries/Fisheries

Comparison of infectious agents detected from hatchery and wild juvenile Coho salmon in British Columbia, 2008-2018.
PLoS One. 2019 Sep 3;14(9):e0221956. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221956.
Nekouei O, Vanderstichel R, Kaukinen KH, Thakur K, Ming T, Patterson DA, Trudel M, Neville C, Miller KM.
 

Marine physiology

Different strategies of energy storage in cultured and freshly isolated Symbiodinium sp.

J Phycol. 2015 Dec;51(6):1127-36. doi: 10.1111/jpy.12349.
Wang LH, Chen HK, Jhu CS, Cheng JO, Fang LS, Chen CS.
 

Fish genetics

Characterizing Marine Medaka (Oryzias melastigma) Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells: A Valuable Tool for Marine Fish Genetic Research.

Animals (Basel). 2024 Sep 21;14(18):2739. doi: 10.3390/ani14182739.
Zhang W, Chen H, Liu W, Jia K, Yi M.

 

Establishment of a Coilia nasus Spermatogonial Stem Cell Line Capable of Spermatogenesis In Vitro

Biology (Basel). 2023 Aug 28;12(9):1175. doi: 10.3390/biology12091175.

Gu K, Zhang Y, Zhong Y, Kan Y, Jawad M, Gui L, Ren M, Xu G, Liu D, Li M.
 

Algal science

18S rDNA gene metabarcoding of microeukaryotes and epi‐endophytes in the holobiome of seven species of large brown algae.

J Phycol. 2023 Oct;59(5):859-878. doi: 10.1111/jpy.13377.
Markussen Bjorbaekmo MF, Brodie J, Krabberød AK, Logares R, Fuss J, Fredriksen S, Wold-Dobbe A, Shalchian-Tabrizi K, Bass D.
 

Marine ecology

Impact of rising seawater temperature on a phagocytic cell population during V. parahaemolyticus infection in the sea anemone E. pallida.

Front Immunol. 2023 Nov 22;14:1292410. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.

Billaud M, Larbret F, Czerucka D.
 

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.