An internationally recognized research institution that focuses on the ocean environment, marine life and ecology, and discovering biotechnological and medical potentials in the sea. Projects include creating genetically engineered seaweed to clean wastewater from agriculture facilities, developing new antibiotics to fight bacterial infections, and building underwater robots. Located on a peninsula five miles northeast of Boston, the Marine Science Center houses year-round research laboratories and teaching facilities, an extensive running seawater system, diving facilities, small boats and the research vessel R.V. Mysis. It is the base for 20 faculty and researchers, and graduate programs in marine biology. It is also home to the East/West Marine Biology Program, in which 20 students study together for a year, rotating among the University of Southern California Wrigley Marine Science Center, University of West Indies Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, and the Marine Science Center. Founded in 1968.