Skip to main content

ONR Develops Capability to Understand Effects of Underwater Pressure on Divers

For Immediate Release: Aug 10, 2011

ARLINGTON, Va.—Reaching a new threshold in underwater medical studies, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced Aug. 10 an innovative capability for examining how cells work at pressures far below the sea surface.

Researchers at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) have designed, built and validated a novel hyperbaric environment to study cellular behavior at greater depths. The joint ONR-NEDU effort is designed to explore advances to protect Navy divers working at depths of up to 1,000 feet.

“This is a huge leap forward in our ability to understand cellular function at pressurized depths,” said Cmdr. Matthew Swiergosz, program officer for ONR’s Undersea Medicine Program. “This capability will bridge a gap in our understanding of identifying potential applications for diving operations.”

Using a laboratory technique called patch clamping, in which electrodes are attached to a cell membrane and clamped, scientists can now monitor, stimulate and record the cell’s electrical activity in a pressurized environment.

Few studies have been performed to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of diving disorders such as decompression sickness.

In addition to providing future payoff for the Navy and Marine Corps, the patch clamping method could also bring benefit to those in the commercial diving community, who are vulnerable to the same hazardous conditions associated with difficult underwater work.

In 2008, ONR began sponsoring the work of principal investigator Lt. Denis Colomb Jr., NEDU, and partners including the University of South Florida, Université Laval, Arehart Model Makers LLC and other NEDU personnel.

The ONR Undersea Medicine Program is a National Naval Responsibility, a science and technology research area the Department of the Navy has deemed critically important to maintaining naval superiority.

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.