Scientists at the University of Southern Maine are building a new national library of living cells collected from the lungs, kidneys, brains and other organs of marine mammals.
The National Marine Cell Line Library will make it easier for researchers to study whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins and other marine creatures that are federally protected and too large to bring into a landlocked laboratory.
Scientists at the University of Southern Maine are building a new national library of living cells collected from the lungs, kidneys, brains and other organs of marine mammals.
The National Marine Cell Line Library will make it easier for researchers to study whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins and other marine creatures that are federally protected and too large to bring into a landlocked laboratory.
By exposing the cells to viruses, toxins and other pollutants, marine scientists can better understand their effects on the animals and begin to prioritize the threats in the sea.
Source: http://www.pressherald.com/news/local/040215marine.shtml
[Editor: The preceding article was not written by A4M/WHN]
