1) The cellular and molecular basis for the bioaccumulation, bioamplification and detoxification of anthropogenic xenobiotics and pollutants in marine organisms.

2) Elucidating the physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved in inducing tolerance to pollutants in marine invertebrates. 

3) Determining the factors which allow the recognition and differential manipulation of essential and nonessential metals by cells.

4) Development of microanalytical techniques using X-ray microanalysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy for studying and quantifying metals transfer between proteins in cells.

5) Cloning of specific genes involved in cellular metal sequestration.