As a child you may have been fascinated by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea or Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Perhaps you also read about how Jacques Cousteau, a naval officer and explorer, invented “Aqua-Lungs” (underwater breathing equipment) and pioneered marine conservation. What did all famous people have in common? A fascination for marine life.
This fascination led to development of Marine Biology, the study of marine organisms in the sea found in diverse habitats and depths in the oceans. The organism’s size and whether it is observable by the naked eye is no limitation as microscopic plankton or whale sharks are of equal interest! Understanding marine life is important as humans rely on its usage for food, raw materials, leisure (diving, snorkelling), tourism and jobs.
As seen with life on Earth, the underwater world relies on defined habitats including:
- Coastal habitats are areas along and close to marine shorelines. They are important in limiting the impacts of climate change for example as acting as barriers against floods. Mangrove tangled roots provide protection for smaller fish against hungry predators and shark nurseries. Some shrimp, crabs and fish reside in salt marshes which absorb rainwater and sinks excessive carbon.
- Estuaries are partially enclosed water bodies with one or more streams or rivers flowing into it as well as a connection to the open sea. As such they act as “transition zones” between freshwater and saltwater environments. This property means it contains abundant nutrient levels and harbours highly diverse life. For example, the Chesapeake Bay in the Unites States, contains oyster reefs (oyster, mud crabs, small fish) with seahorses, fish and migratory birds.
- Coral reefs are characterised by their vibrant colours and sheltering of some of the most diverse wildlife. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for example contains over “1500 fish species, 411 types of hard corals, 1/3 of the world’s soft corals, 134 shark and ray species, 6/7 endangered turtle species and 30 marine mammal species” states the WWF (World Wildlife organisation). However, global warming contributes to ocean temperatures and the bleaching or colour-loss of corals which threaten the marine biodiversity.
Featured Courses
The CPD accredited courses are carefully crafted to help you gain in-depth knowledge on a topic of your interest.
Stem Cell Technology
The field of stem cell technology is a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, offering transformative pathways to repair or replace damaged tissues. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of stem cell biology, from the fundamental differences in cell potency to advanced techniques such as induced pluripotency and direct reprogramming. Participants will gain insight into differentiation protocols, the development of 3D organoid systems, and the application of CRISPR gene editing to correct disease-associated mutations. Beyond the laboratory, the course addresses essential quality control standards, global regulatory frameworks, and the complex ethical landscape of modern biotechnology.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
This intermediate-level course provides a thorough overview of the field of next-generation sequencing, from its properties and strength and its major applications, to an overview of a typical sequencing workflow.
Molecular Ageing
The study of molecular ageing is a cutting-edge discipline, providing a novel lens through which to understand and treat age-related decline. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the biological drivers of ageing, from evolutionary theories to the molecular hallmarks that define the biological clock. Participants will explore the mechanisms of DNA repair, the impact of oxidative stress, and emerging therapeutic frontiers, including senolytics and rejuvenation technologies moving from the laboratory into clinical consideration.
Cancer Biology: Exploring the Molecular and Genetic Aspects
This is an intermediate-level course that explores the molecular and genetic basis of cancer, its evolution, and cancer immunology.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the most advanced and fastest growing sciences. The beginning of the 21st century has seen huge developments in techniques to study and understand how the brain works.
CRISPR: Revolutionising Genome Editing
This advanced-level course is designed to develop an understanding of complex concepts related to genomics, particularly CRISPR/Cas technology and its applications...
Marine wildlife can mostly be classified in 5 subdomains:
- Microscopic life: important for the cycling of carbon, nitrogen and nutrients as well as photosynthesis (conversion of life energy into chemical energy). Examples include cyanobacteria or marine viruses.
- Fungi: survive by living on or inside other living organisms such as corals and algae.
- Plants and algae: both microscopic and macroscopic algae are important for marine wildlife, used as nutrients, hiding spots or nursery shelters. Examples include kelp or turtle grass.
- Invertebrates: have no backbone and include jellyfish, sea worms, shellfish, starfish.
- Vertebrates: include fish (bony and cartilaginous fish), reptiles (turtles, snakes, crocodiles), birds (gulls, penguins) and mammals (whales, dolphins, polar bears).
