Preserving the First-Ever Biological Specimens from Okeanos Explorer
The Okeanos Explorer ROV collects its first biological sample, a Chrysogorgia soft coral, whose DNA will be preserved using OGL's shipboard kit. Photo credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.
Ocean Genome Legacy's custom sampling kit helped make a historic moment for the science team of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ship Okeanos Explorer.
For the first time, the shipboard scientists collected biological specimens, including a record-breaking soft coral, some hitchhiking barnacles, and a spiny sponge thought to be the first of its kind in Hawaiian waters. After a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) safely retrieved the samples from nearly two miles deep, the team used OGL's kit to preserve precious DNA.
We are thrilled that the team found our kit helpful and easy to use!
