This is a two-week intensive subject on marine biotechnology that will be held at Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. It focuses on novel attributes of coral reef environments that are the basis of an expanding industry of biotechnology. Biotechnology is the application of knowledge of reef-based life to improve our quality of life. Emphasis is given to the abilities of corals and other reef associated invertebrates (e.g. sponges) to protect themselves against the sun, repell and/or destroy non-self cells and to immunise themselves against some diseases. Aspects covered include molecular techniques to separate and identify `useful proteins' and genetics. Field aspects involve the collection of organisms and experiments.