"An Ocean of Microbes: Microbial Influences on Planetary and Human Health" • Peter McCarthy, Ph.D. About the Lecture - 2006 The marine environment contains a huge diversity of microorganisms which we are only now beginning to understand. Microbes are found throughout the oceans where they have a profound influence on the health of the oceans and indeed the health of the planet. Microbes are also responsible for many of the diseases which affect the human population. The lecture will explore the world of microbes and some of the unique niches present in the undersea world. The chemicals that are produced by microbes in these environments may give us the key to controlling many diseases. About the Speaker Dr. McCarthy is the Associate Director of the Division of Biomedical Marine Research and the Head of the Microbiology Program. He is also an Affiliate Professor in the Biology Department at Florida Atlantic University. He has served as President of the Florida Branch of the American Society for Microbiology and is currently a National Councilor for ASM. Dr. McCarthy's research interests range from the ecology of marine microorganisms to the discovery of new agents to combat infectious disease. He has been the Head of the Biomedical Marine Research Microbiology group since 1996. His group is responsible for the maintenance of a very large collection of marine-derived microorganisms (over 17,000 specimens) many of which are from deep-water environments made accessible through the use of Harbor Branch's submersibles. The microbial cultures are being used as a source of new chemicals which may eventually lead to new drugs to combat cancer and other dread diseases. Dr. McCarthy was trained as a microbiologist in England receiving his Ph.D. degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury. Following a two-year postdoctoral appointment with Smith Kline and French in Philadelphia, he joined Harbor Branch in 1985. He has over 40 publications in the scientific literature and is an inventor on nine US Patents held by HBOI.

© 2006, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution