Oceans and Human Health

Research at a Glance

Predicting Biological Characteristics and Disease Pathways from Genomic Data

A central goal of life sciences research is understanding how an organism’s observable characteristics, or phenotypes, arise from its genetic code, considering complex interactions between genes, regulatory networks, and environmental factors. Such research aims to create predictive models that can guide interventions in human health and environmental conservation. A major interest of the Oceans and Human Health Laboratory is to predict the observable characteristics of an organism from its DNA.

Systems Biology and Genomic Interactions

Research on the genotype-to-phenotype relationship in marine environments is driven by the urgent need to protect genetic information found in marine organisms. With oceans covering 70% of the Earth’s surface and 80% of this area still unmapped and unexplored, the genomes of these organisms represent a significant natural resource. However, to unlock their potential, we must understand the biological mechanisms encoded within these genomes; otherwise, they will remain little more than extensive sequences without practical application. 

Biological traits such as anatomy, physiology, and behavior are shaped by intricate relationships among protein-coding genes, regulatory mechanisms, and environmental influences. Researchers use Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) models to capture these dynamics, showing how transcription factors interact with genes to drive development and adaptation. These models are analogous to detailed maps that catalog both connections and functional hierarchies among genetic components. For instance, studying specific model organisms can help scientists establish frameworks to predict phenotypic outcomes under changing conditions. Notably, certain model organisms -such as sea urchins - exhibit resilience to cancer, showing minimal or no traits associated with tumor formation. Understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms that contribute to this resistance could provide valuable insights for developing novel cancer therapies. 

Applications to Health and Disease

This genotype-to-phenotype approach offers vast potential for advancing human health, especially in understanding and treating diseases at their genetic roots. For instance, while certain mutations are linked to specific diseases, understanding how they translate into observable symptoms requires insights into gene regulation and gene interactions.

To bridge this gap, innovative methods are essential to analyze the complex traits derived from genomic sequences. Such advancements can deepen our understanding of how genetic variations influence health outcomes and the progression of diseases. For example, studying model organisms that exhibit resilience to environmental stressors enables researchers to identify potential pathways for cancer and aging interventions in humans.

In cancer research, these insights help clarify how deregulated gene expression drives uncontrolled cell growth. Leveraging evolutionary principles, researchers can develop new strategies that adapt treatments to prevent and address treatment resistance. Similarly, geroscience investigates the aging process, which, though not a disease, increases susceptibility to health conditions like frailty and decreased resilience. Focusing on the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms behind aging, researchers aim to devise strategies to mitigate aging's effects on health, promoting both longevity and quality of life. This research offers transformative potential, not only for supporting aging populations but also for reshaping healthcare approaches to better manage and treat age-related diseases.

Environmental Implications and Resource Management

The drive to understand genotype-phenotype relationships extends beyond human health into marine and environmental science. By mapping how marine organisms respond to genomic and environmental changes, scientists hope to guide sustainable management of ocean resources, which face threats from overexploitation and climate change. Recognizing the untapped potential of marine genomes as a natural resource, researchers focus on translating genetic knowledge into frameworks that can benefit both conservation and resource development efforts.

Intellectual Property

In 2020 BIOS was awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for an innovative apparatus combining computational and molecular biology expertise. This technology distinguishes pathogenic microorganisms within environmental samples by leveraging robotic manipulation to perform complex, high-throughput genomic sequencing across numerous organisms. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted this technology Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants, addressing a key challenge in monitoring variant emergence and its implications for the efficacy of existing COVID-19 vaccines.