HARBOR BRANCH BIODIVERSITY COURSE RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FORT PIERCE, FLA., Nov. 10, 2000 - A unique summer college course at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution involving research into the biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon in Florida and Andros Island in the Bahamas is winning international acclaim, and will be used as part of a larger group of projects that are supported by the international consortium, "DIVERSITAS" Dr. Jose Lopez, a specialist in Molecular Genetics at Harbor Branch, has developed the "Molecular Studies of Marine Biodiversity" (MSMB) course cirriculum over two years, and this is the first time the course has been included in a list of international projects that are seen as making a valuable contribution toward the overall understanding of biological diversity. The MSMB course, scheduled for June 3 - June 17, 2001, is included in the upcoming "International Biodiversity Observation Year" (IBOY) projects for 2001-2002. IBOY is an initiative of the larger, internationally-based group DIVERSITAS. "Genetic variation is the foundation of all biological diversity, and allows organisms to evolve and adapt" to our environment, Dr. Lopez said, adding that "the ability of genes, individuals and species to adapt to changing environments are linked to and dependent upon each other. Studying biodiversity at all of these levels is vital, since biodiversity is being increasingly threatened almost everywhere." The course is unique not only for its subject matter and research, but also for the opportunities students have to do field work in tropical habitats that include coral reefs and mangroves. Classroom work emphasizing the theoretical and computerized side of biodiversity is carried out on the HBOI campus. However, students are able to utilize a unique mobile molecular laboratory that they can take into the field, and they are given the chance to do research in the Indian River Lagoon and on Andros Island itself. The Indian River Lagoon is recognized as the most biodiverse estuary system in the world, and Dr. Lopez pointed out that Andros Island in the Bahamas has the third largest barrier reef system in the world, both of which give students chances to do field work they couldn't do anywhere else. In addition to the national recognition for the course, Dr. Lopez will be describing the content and results of the MSMB classes during the Marine Sciences "MarCuba 2000" symposium Dec. 4-8, 2000 in Havana, Cuba, sponsored by UNESCO. The course will also be combined with an Earthwatch initiative, the Durfee Student Challenge Awards, which will give eight to 10 of the best high school science students in the United States the chance to participate in undergraduate level research concerning biodiversity. For more information, visit the IBOY/DIVERSITAS website. To arrange interviews with Dr. Lopez or for more information about Harbor Branch's role in the course, please call HARBOR BRANCH at 772.465.2400. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations dedicated to exploration of the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions for the benefit of mankind.