The Alaskan Frozen-Tissue Collection and Associated Electronic Database: A Resource for Marine Biotechnology (AK-93-48-14)

MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES

MMS OCS Region:			Alaska
Title:			The Alaskan Frozen-Tissue Collection and Associated Electronic Database: A Resource for Marine Biotechnology (AK-93-48-14)
Total Cost:	$75,000				Period of Performance:	FY 1999-2001
Conducting Organization:					University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Coastal Marine Institute
MMS Contact:		Chief, Alaska Environmental Studies Section
Description:
Background
The Alaska Frozen Tissue Collection (AFTC) collects animal tissues from a variety of species, thus addressing concerns of Alaskan Native subsistence hunters over possible contamination of food from various industrial sources. The AFTC has been collecting animal tissues for years, but it has been difficult to access the information on tissue analyses. The tissue inventory is fully computerized and, where available, shows latitudes and longitudes of collected specimens.
Objectives
The objectives of this study are to: Increase the existing collection of tissues from marine mammals and other specimens of the Beaufort Sea, Cook Inlet, Shelikof Strait, and other planning areas. Develop an electronic database that is accessible through the Internet, thus facilitating the transfer of information and sharing genetic resources among tissue investigators. Ensure a long-term systematic record of frozen tissues from Alaska’s marine ecosystems.
Methods
Tissues and specimen data are collected by participating scientists from marine mammals, birds, fishes, and invertebrates. The AFTC coordinates with the ongoing MMS/Biological Research Division Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project (AMMTAP), to collect additional marine mammal tissues from fresh carcasses using AMMTAP’s cryogenic tissue-collection protocols.
Importance to MMS
Tissues are made available for contaminant and other types of analyses such as determination of the genetic status of harbor seals and other species. This study is developing an electronic database that is accessible through the Internet, thus facilitating the transfer of information among interested investigators. The sample size of marine mammals sampled for AMMTAP will be enlarged and more tissues from marine mammals, birds, fishes, and invertebrates from the Beaufort Sea will be available for analyses of industrial contaminants of interest to oil and gas development. This will permit enhanced postlease monitoring and discrete stock identifications pursuant to Lease Sales 71, 124, 144 and 170 in the Beaufort Sea and Cook Inlet.
Current Status:
Marine mammal tissues continue to be collected and loaned to researchers. Data on mammals was moved to a new database management system. A final report was due in 2001.
Final Report Due:				June 2001
Publications:
Affiliated WWW Sites:				Alaska Frozen Tissue Collection University of Alaska Museum Data Base Access
Revised date:				March 2002
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