Molecular ecology of marine and aquatic organisms
Project Manager: Bob Vrijenhoek
Lead Scientist: Bob Vrijenhoek

Lead Engineer: Gene Massion

This project will develop and employ molecular markers to study ecological and evolutionary processes in marine and aquatic organisms. The project extends ongoing studies of gene flow and species diversity at deep-sea hydrothermal vents to biological communities associated with cold-water sulfide/hydrocarbon seeps along western margin of North America (specifically, Monterey Bay). The goal is to develop a better understanding of the evolutionary and ecological relationships between vent and seep communities on a global scale.