This page contains photos and videos taken during the Medicines from the Deep Sea: Exploration of the Gulf of Mexico expedition that took place September 8-19, 2003. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a picture of a movie camera icon 
is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages.
If a picture of a slideshow icon 
is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.
(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.
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Video & Slideshows
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September 17
The diversity of marine life hidden beneath oil platforms. (QuickTime, 1.1 Mb)
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September 11
Forcepia, not just your ordinary sponge. (QuickTime, 1 Mb)
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Summary
Various sponges and octocorals collected during the "Deep Sea Medicines 2003 Expedition."
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September 9
The Innovator ROV being launched from the stern deck of the NOAA Research Vessel Ronald H. Brown.
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Images
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Summary
Scientists donned their SCUBA equipment and dove in shallow water.
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Summary
Gail Samples displays a coral collected during one of the day’s dives.
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Summary
Priscilla Winder (left) and Shirley Pomponi (right) placing samples in plastic bags for preservation.
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Summary
Sonsub Inc. crewmembers Lucas Cribley and Greg Wardwell assist Tara Pitts with samples.
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Summary
Shirley Pomponi removing a bright yellow sponge from a sea floor sample.
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September 19
The entire Deep Sea Medicines 2003 crew on board the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown.
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September 19
ROV Innovator during a recovery at night. (HR)
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September 18
Inovator sample buckets being unloaded after dive.
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September 18
Scientist examine sample buckets after a dive.
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September 18
A typical confocal microscope system.
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September 18
Untreated cancer cells.
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September 18
Drug-treated cancer cells.
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September 18
Bacteria from a sponge cell suspension.
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September 18
Autofluorescent bacteria from a sponge cell transmitted light and Krypton Laser.
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September 17
The divers who participated in SCUBA operations.
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September 17
The ROV Innovator during a morning launch. (HR)
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September 17
Captain John Wilder checking out operations in the ROV van.
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September 17
Operations in the ROV van.
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September 16
Graphical sketch of the Sonsub Inc. ROV Innovator.
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September 16
Helicopter leaving platform during a launch of the ROV.
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September 16
Oil sparr at sunrise.
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September 15
Experimental aquaculture farm of deep-water sponges. (HR)
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September 15
The supply of sponges and tunicates are researched for use in drug development. (HR)
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September 15
Growth and feeding studies on sponges are conducted under controlled conditions. (HR)
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September 15
Tunicates are studied at HBOI because they produce bioactive compounds. (HR)
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September 14
Lithistids are a very rare group of sponges recovered during September 14 dive. (HR)
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September 14
Gail Samples, preparing an extract for culture.
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September 14
NOAA Corps Officer LTJG Jennifer Pralgo looking over a navigational chart.
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September 14
Chief Steward Richard Whitehead.
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September 13
Taking sponge samples for analysis.
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September 13
A Clathria sponge. (HR)
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September 13
Making skilled maneuvers of the ROV during a dive.
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September 13
Sonsub Inc. crew.
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September 13
C&C Technologies team.
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September 13
Morning launch of the ROV.
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September 13
In the wet lab waiting to see what was brought up from the dive.
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September 13
Lucas Cribley and Geoff Ellett making adjustments to the ROV.
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September 12
Multibeam image of Mullins Lithoherm.
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September 12
This tanish/orange colored sea fan.
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September 12
Bush of deep water coral Lophelia pertusa.
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September 12
Black coral bush.
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September 12
A pair of deep-water crabs was among many of the “bonus” marine organisms.
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September 12
3-D multibeam image of the Westward view of “Forcepia-land” escarpment.
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September 12
3-D multibeam image of the Northward view of “Forcepia-land” escarpment.
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September 11
The bright-orange Forcepia sponge. (HR)
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September 11
Jeremy Potter and Gary K. Wolfe getting their hands wet examining Forcepia.
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September 11
Dr. Shirley Pomponi isolating pure Forcepia cells for culture.
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September 11
A solution of Forcepia cells after being placed in a centrifuge.
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September 11
A Gorgonia Swiftia sp.
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September 10
Innovator being recovered.
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September 10
Jane Thompson, preparing a sample of Acarnus for DNA extraction.
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September 10
An unexpected finds during the first dive, Acarnus sp. (HR)
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September 10
Acarnus sp. plated on petri dishes for cell culture.
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September 10
Recovered on the second dive a sponge from the Verongida family. (HR)
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September 10
The sponge Forcepia is the source of the lasonolides. (HR)
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September 10
The structure of lasonolide A, a potent cytotoxic agent.
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September 10
Agarose gel electrophoresis is used to visualize DNA extracts.
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September 9
Mobilization of the Innovator on the NOAA research vessel Ron Brown.
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September 9
The Innovator being submersed during the test dive.
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September 9
The science party view real-time footage from the Innovator during the test dive.
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September 8
Sonsub Inc. ROV Innovator technician preparing for the mission.
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September 8
Shirley Pomponi and LTJG Shawn Maddock view a sponge.
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September 8
Port side view of the Sonsub Inc. ROV Innovator.
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