ABOUT OGL

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE OCEAN

The Ocean Genome Legacy Center has an unwavering commitment to preserving the diverse ocean life from our planet’s ocean. 

WHO WE ARE

Ocean Genome Legacy is a nonprofit, marine research organization and biological specimen repository dedicated to exploring and preserving the wealth of information contained in the DNA of marine organisms.

WHAT WE DO

Our mission is to acquire, authenticate, study, preserve, develop, and distribute genetic materials, biological specimens, information, technology, and standards needed to advance basic and applied non-commercial research.

OUR BOLD VISION

By providing secure storage and broad public access to genomic materials and a forum for sharing samples, data, and ideas, OGL aims to serve as a catalyst for research that can help to protect marine ecosystems and improve the human condition.

WITH THE HELP OF OUR COllaboraTORS, OGL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:

29,323

DNA SAMPLES

1,126

MARINE FAMILIES

3,814

IDENTIFIED SPECIES

AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR CONSERVATIONISTS AND RESEARCHERS ALIKE

“We know that species are disappearing from the ocean at an alarming rate, and so much of what’s underwater remains a mystery to us; it would be a horrible shame if all of that biological diversity that we know is out there would disappear before we even had a chance to name all those species.”

DR. DAN DISTEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OCEAN GENOME LEGACY CENTER

TAKE A DIVE INTO OUR FEATURED COLLECTIONS

The Ocean Genome Legacy is trusted to collect, study, maintain, and share genomic data from our ocean. Through sponsorships and partnerships, we are able to provide data to ocean conservation organizations around the world. Take a quick look of some of our featured collections.

VISUALIZING THE OCEAN'S MYSTERIES

Northeastern’s Ocean Genome Legacy maintains a collection of marine DNA and tissue samples that is unlike anything else in the world. This has been visualized by melding incredible data visualization to impactful storytelling. 

by Lia Petronio and Allie Nicodemo

FAQs

What is the OGL?

Ocean Genome Legacy is a non-profit genome bank at Northeastern University dedicated to exploring and preserving the wealth of information contained in the genomes (total DNA) of endangered, rare, unusual, and ecologically critical marine organisms.

Why is OGL undertaking this effort?

To preserve endangered marine species and environments in the face of increasing anthropogenic threats and to provide genomic resources to the scientific community for the advancement of basic and applied non-commercial research. The primary goals of our DNA repository are to provide primary materials for research, stimulate scientific inquiry and collaborative effort, and enable long-term conservation and preservation of endangered genes, species, and ecosystems.

HOW will ogl achieve its goals?

OGL seeks to create a community of scientists, institutions, and individuals who are motivated to participate voluntarily in a joint effort to document, preserve, and share marine genomic resources.

WHom does ogl serve?

Scientists, students, educators, and institutions involved in basic and applied research in marine science, conservation, fisheries science, sustainable resource management, medicine, biotechnology, and other areas of discovery.

What does OGL’s name mean?

The OCEAN is our planet’s most influential but least understood ecosystem. The GENOME is the sum of all DNA in a living organism and its blueprint for life. Our LEGACY is a gift of knowledge that we preserve for future generations.

What can we learn from marine genomes?

The information encoded in marine genomes can help us understand the unique identity, biology, adaptations, vulnerabilities, interactions, evolution, and history of marine organisms, providing knowledge that can help conserve those organisms and their ecosystems. Marine genomes can also help cure disease, protect the environment, and improve the sustainability of global food and energy supplies by supporting research in drug development, human and veterinary medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, bioenergy, and other areas of innovation.

What species are in the ogl collection

OGL is interested in preserving DNA from all marine animal and algae species. You can browse our online catalog to explore the species available. 

Does ogl preserve microbes or microbial dna?

The OGL biorepository focuses on DNA from macroscopic organisms. A limited number of bacterial strains and bacterial DNA samples are housed in the OGL laboratory for Dr. Daniel Distel’s research on shipworms and their bacterial symbionts.

WHAT PRODUCTS DOES OGL PROVIDE?

OGL offers genomic DNA and a limited number of tissue samples. We also offer scientific materials and services such as “OGL in a Box” sample preservation kits and a DNA-based seafood identification service. 

Why should scientists use a central repository like ogl?

A central biorepository like OGL offers reliable access to high quality, well documented, legally obtained marine samples, many of which would be difficult to access otherwise. The OGL biorepository enhances research efficiency by making rare samples widely available, by securely preserving materials to minimize the unnecessary collection of new samples, by sharing the benefits of the Marine Science Center’s infrastructure and expertise.

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